Photos: Russia celebrates National Flag Day amid war and tensions with the West

By AFP, AP and EPA. Published On 23 Aug 202623 Aug 2026.

Key points

• National Flag Day, established in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, commemorates the adoption of the tricolour that replaced the hammer-and-sickle emblem.
• In St Petersburg, authorities and participants gathered under a sea of white, blue and red as the tricolour was honoured in a public event on Saturday.
• Analysts say such observances are meant to bolster public backing and project normality, despite economic strain and battlefield losses.

As the Kremlin leans heavily on patriotic symbols against the backdrop of its ongoing war in Ukraine and confrontation with the West, russia has marked National Flag Day with official ceremonies and tightly managed celebrations nationwide.

While choirs performed patriotic songs and local authorities hailed the banner as a symbol of "unity and resilience", state media broadcast pictures of volunteers distributing ribbons in the colours of the flag.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the flag has been increasingly woven into pro-government rallies, school programmes and military commemorations, reinforcing official narratives regarding Russia's historical mission and defiance of Western sanctions.

Analysts say such observances are meant to bolster public backing and project normality, despite economic strain and battlefield losses. With independent voices largely sidelined, the Kremlin's employ of national symbols on days like these underscores how patriotism has become central to Russia's political messaging at home and abroad.

In short, photos: Russia celebrates National Flag Day amid war and tensions with the is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.