: As a symbol of resistance, Russian protesters around the world adopt a new flag, removing red to distance themselves from state propaganda and violence.
When Russia’s forces invaded Ukraine, anti-war Russians like Kai Katonina, a 31-year-old designer living in Berlin, took to global protests to show their opposition. Holding a sign that read “No to war,” Katonina, along with others, faced the challenge of identifying themselves as Russian without aligning with the violence associated with their country’s actions.
Katonina explained that using Russia’s traditional white, blue, and red tricolor flag at protests was no longer an option. “The flag has been completely appropriated by state propaganda and military forces,” they said. “We needed a flag that had no connection to violence and war.”
The solution was simple yet powerful: a flag with only blue and white horizontal stripes, symbolizing the removal of “bloodshed”—the red—caused by the war. “It’s as if someone threw white paint over the red,” Katonina said.
This new flag quickly gained traction at protests around the world, and Katonina was surprised to find that others, independently of each other, had adopted the same idea. The flag’s roots trace back to Veliky Novgorod, one of Russia’s oldest cities, which is historically recognized for its democratic participation dating back to the 12th century.
Katonina noted the significance of Veliky Novgorod’s symbolism: “It was as democratic as a place could be in the 12th century,” offering a connection to a more peaceful, representative Russian identity.
