[2] The flag has a white background with two blue diagonal bands, forming a saltire, called St. Andrew's Cross.

In 1698 Peter I the Great established the first Russian medal, the Order of St Andrew, which is to be awarded for military exploits and public service.

Since then, the flag with St. Andrew's cross has been used as a symbol of Russia's access to the four seas — the White, Baltic, Azov and Caspian.

In 1712, the final version of the ensign for the fleet's main forces (the middle part of the squadron) and ships in solo voyage — St. Andrew's flag of white colour with a blue (cyan) cross reaching to the cloth's corners was adopted.

The flag of St Andrew was reintroduced in the Russian Navy in 1992 by the decree of Boris Yeltsin from 21 July, and is still used today.