Flag of the Russian Fleet
The cross of St. Andrew’s the First Called, which was considered the patron saint of Russia, became the basis of the flag of the Russian fleet, introduced by Peter I in 1696, and was officially approved in 1703. St. Andrew’s flag has sometimes been used as a symbol of Russia.
The field of the navies flag originally used to be a white-blue-red tricolor; since 1709, only one of the colours has been used. In the times of the empress Anna John’s daughter, Catherine II, and since 1865, only the white colour has been used as the background colour. St. Andrew’s cross was located in the small rectangle in the upper corner of the staff, and later – on the whole field of the flag.
The jack flag of the Navy also has St. Andrew’s cross. Both flags (the jack flag and ensign) were replaced in 1918 by the flag of the RSFSR, and later by the newly created jack flag and the USSR Navy flag. St. Andrew’s flag and the jack flag, which was used before the Russian Revolution, were reintroduced in the fleet of Russia in 1991, and they have been used ever since. The official banner of the Russian Navy, which is based on the flag of the Russian Navy, was approved by the Federal Act of 29 December 2000 (as further amended).
