🇷🇺 22 August is Russia’s National Flag Day ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 The story of Russia's white-blue-red tricolour begins in the 17th century, when the country was taking its first steps towards becoming a maritime power. The flag was first associated with the reign of Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich and the Oryol, Russia's first naval vessel. His son, Peter the Great, later shaped the design into the familiar three horizontal stripes, drawing on his fascination with the sea and European traditions. Over the centuries, the tricolour has accompanied Russia through periods of transformation, achievement and renewal. Restored as the national flag in 1991, it remains a powerful link between generations and a enduring symbol of our country both at home and abroad – including here in London, where it proudly flies above the Russian Embassy. Read more about the history of our flag here 📸 RIA Novosti