Russia Day

Russia Day

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  1. 1991Russian Federation declares sovereignty from the Soviet Union
  2. 1993Russian constitution adopted following the constitutional crisis
  3. 2014Crimea annexed by Russia — significant shift in post-Soviet geopolitics

Why Russia celebrates 12 June

On 12 June 1990, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic issued a Declaration of State Sovereignty — asserting the primacy of Russian law over Soviet law. A year later, on 12 June 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the first democratically elected president of Russia. The date was officially adopted as Russian Independence Day in 1992, later renamed Russia Day.

Russia Day celebrates the establishment of the modern Russian Federation as a distinct state separate from the Soviet Union. The holiday was controversial when first introduced — many Russians saw no reason to celebrate independence from a state they themselves dominated. Over time, Russia Day became more of a general patriotic holiday, rebranded around Russian culture, history and national pride.

The day is marked with a presidential address, fireworks displays in Moscow and other major cities, and the Kremlin's ceremony for state awards. Red Square fills with concerts and cultural events. In recent years the holiday has taken on more nationalist overtones as Russia's political direction has shifted.

  1. 202612 June 2026 · Friday
  2. 202712 June 2027 · Saturday
  3. 202812 June 2028 · Monday
The Russian flag
Russia flag

The Russian flag has three equal horizontal bands of white, blue and red — a design dating from the era of Peter the Great, who was influenced by the Dutch tricolour. White symbolises peace and honesty, blue represents faithfulness and red stands for courage and the blood of those who fell for Russia. The flag was restored in 1991 after 74 years of the Soviet red flag.

Russian cuisine is substantial and warming — shaped by the long winters, the vast forest and steppe landscape and the influence of its many constituent peoples. Bread, cabbage, beet, pork and vodka define the Russian table.

What to eat

BorschtBeet soup with beef and sour cream — consumed across all Slavic countries but most associated with Russia and Ukraine.
PelmeniSmall meat dumplings of Siberian origin — boiled and served with butter, sour cream or vinegar.
BliniThin buckwheat pancakes served with caviar, sour cream, smoked salmon or jam.
Beef StroganoffStrips of beef in a creamy mushroom sauce — a 19th-century St Petersburg dish that spread worldwide.
Olivier saladDiced potato, chicken, pickles and peas in mayonnaise — Russia's most beloved celebration salad.
SyrnikiCottage cheese pancakes — pan-fried and served with sour cream and jam for breakfast.

What to drink

VodkaRussia's national spirit — consumed neat and ice-cold, the centre of toasting culture.
KvassFermented rye bread drink — mildly alcoholic, sold from yellow tanks on Moscow streets in summer.
KefirFermented milk drink — consumed daily as a health and breakfast drink across Russia.
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Russia culture

Russia's cultural legacy is immense — Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Chekhov, the Bolshoi Ballet, the Hermitage and the St Petersburg skyline are among the world's great cultural achievements.

Kremlin and Red SquareThe historical and symbolic centre of Russia — the fortified complex in Moscow houses the president and St Basil's Cathedral.
Bolshoi BalletMoscow's world-famous ballet company — among the most prestigious classical ballet companies in the world.
Trans-Siberian RailwayThe world's longest railway at 9289 km — crossing eight time zones from Moscow to Vladivostok.
Lake BaikalThe world's deepest and oldest lake — containing 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water.