The black-gold-white flag (черно-желто-белый) was an official flag of the Russian Empire in the 1800s. The flag was in official use from 1858 to 1896.
Used historically as a war and state flag, the flag and its colours are currently used by monarchists, nationalists and the far right in Russia. Those who use the Russian Empire flag and its colours include neo-Nazi military formations active in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The use of the flag’s colours should always be carefully evaluated in context as they also appear in other flags, including those with similar striped designs such as those for the city of Tarnowskie Gory in Poland, and the Malaysian state of Perak.
Russian Empire flag on a mural dedicated to a deceased Serbian citizen who fought with Russian-led forces in eastern Ukraine. The mural also features the specific Serbian coat of arms used by the Nazi collaborationist regime in Serbia between 1941 and 1944
Belgrade, Serbia - June 2025
Michael Colborne