PROVINCE REPORT
MOSCOW: Russia is observing National Flag Day on August 22, commemorating the country’s tricolour as a key symbol of sovereignty, independence and national unity.
Established by Presidential Decree in 1994, National Flag Day honours the white-blue-red flag, which represents the continuity of generations and the unity of Russia’s multinational people.
The history of the Russian tricolour dates back more than three centuries. Peter the Great raised it as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk in 1693 and ordered the white-blue-red flag to be flown on merchant ships in 1705. The tricolour was officially adopted as Russia’s national flag in 1896.
The Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation” was adopted on December 25, 2000. Under the law, the flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes—white, blue and red.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the national flag as a symbol of the country’s unity, expressing confidence that it would continue to inspire the Russian people to move forward and uphold the glory of Russia.
