On Russia Day, the first 16 military units and agencies ceremoniously rolled out their new colors (combat flags), which were presented on behalf of the supreme commander-in-chief by the respective service commanders.
In the next three years, the newly designed emblems, which carry virtually no Soviet symbols, will be issued to 2,135 units of the Russian Armed Forces and all power structures, gradually replacing the military's sacred insignia.
Shortly before the opening of the national holiday, I asked Army General Aleksandr Belousov if the Armed Forces intend to do away with these symbols completely.
"No, that's a misunderstanding," the general replied. "We do not intend to completely abandon the Soviet-era symbols, because under those standards, military units traveled a glorious path while defending their motherland... But for 16 years we've been living in a new Russian state, which has completely changed its symbols since [the disintegration of] the Soviet Union. So it is unreasonable to continue with symbols that are now history. It's time to change them."
Insignia
So what type of colors and insignia can we expect to see at future military parades?
The basic designs were established by presidential decree, while the exact design for each specific service is to be approved by the federal executive agencies in charge of each particular service.
"In the Armed Forces, the flag design is based on the Cross of St. George," said Col. Oleg Kuznetsov, head of the RF Defense Ministry Military Heraldry Service. "The [Military] Order of the Saint [Grand Martyr and the Triumphant] George [also known as Order of St. George the Triumphant] was the most revered among Russian warriors. It was awarded for the highest valour and bravery displayed in defending the motherland against an external aggressor.
The prestigious emblem features a sideways orange cross superimposed against a white background, alternating with black stripes. The design replicates the color pattern of the St. George Ribbon, as well as the ribbon of the Order of Glory, established during the years of the Great Patriotic War [1941-45]. It is on this point, incidentally, that pre-Revolutionary and Soviet traditions are combined."
On the face of the banner is depicted the State Emblem of the Russian Federation - a two-headed eagle with spread wings. On the reverse side, within the central medallion, is the well known emblem first introduced by presidential decree. It effectively reproduces the small insignia of a military unit, which reflects the special features and characteristics of a specific regiment. Initially, they were introduced in honor of the anniversaries of military units, and later were established as permanent emblems. In the past - as well as today - they were an object of real pride among the soldiers. Today, every serviceman wears his military unit emblem on the left-hand side of the chest.
There are also smaller imprints on the colors, located at its edges. They are designed to represent a unit's organizational status and its affiliation within a specific arm, branch or service of the Armed Forces. But in addition to the banner as such, the flag complex includes another few symbolic elements. A metal pommel is attached to the staff in the form of a spearhead, with an image of the State Emblem inside. For units that were awarded the guards appellation, there is a special St. George pommel in the form of a larger one-piece cast figure of a two-headed eagle, which is presented together with the St. George Ribbon. As was the case prior to the [1917] Revolution, it is the highest decoration that a military unit can have. That tradition has carried on today.
Incidentally, existing Russian laws make no provisions for awarding orders to military units. As a result, only those decorative ribbons, preserved as part of the new flag complex, will be displayed which
represent the Soviet or foreign decorations that military units already have. But as for the orders as such, a decision was made not to affix them to the colours (as was the case during the Soviet era). They will remain "attached" to the old colours, except that their list, as well as a unit's honorary name designation, will be engraved on a metal bracket affixed to the staff of the colours.
At least the standard bearer will be able to read it.
Red Still In
The colors that were presented on June 12 do not visually resemble the Soviet standards either in the color scheme or basic design, or even with some clearly distinguishable symbols. Heraldry experts maintain that it is simply impossible to combine absolutely everything in contemporary colors from different historical periods. And since the Soviet period - which, after all, is not so distant in the past - was brief against the backdrop of the centuries-old history of the Russian Army, it does not prevail among the new symbols.
"Some of the old colours carried the inscription: ‘Death to German Occupiers!' Is this relevant today?" Col. Kuznetsov said, fervently arguing his position. "Or the USSR Emblem, the depiction of Lenin and Stalin is at the center of the panel. We thoroughly analyzed the famous traditions of all historical periods in Russia and chose what is today the most optimal combination of symbols from different periods. As a matter of fact, before the Revolution, there was such a notion as a parade [review] of colors. A military unit could have as many as eight different types. And all of them were displayed during regimental ceremonial formation and were equally revered. Today, the same procedure will apply to Soviet colors kept within the military units."
Indeed, during the ceremony at the presentation of the new colors, the red standards of the Soviet Army [formerly Red Army] were carried before the infantry in formation. It seems that the military is not going to part with them. Gen. Belousov did say that worn-out colors will be repaired and then transferred to the Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, where they will be kept and not returned to their military units. This, it must be admitted, is a very tactful way of gradually removing the antiquated colors and emblems from the troops, without unnecessary and passionate disputes.
By Oleg Vladykin
