UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

BORDER GUARD ENSIGNS & FLAGS  •  1918-92

The border flotilla of the Russian Federated Soviet Socialist republic used a red ensign with a canton containing the initials of the state, and the initials of the service in the fly. But in 1923, with the formal establishment of the USSR, new ensigns and flags were introduced. The Border Guard ensign was green with a canton of the 1923 naval ensign, and it served as the basis for all additional Border Guard flags that were introduced over the next few years. When the 1935 naval ensign was adopted, it replaced the previous ensign in the canton of the Border Guard ensign. The 1923-35 and 1935-92 naval jacks were also used by Border Guard vessels. With a few changes down through the years, the designs adopted in 1935 were used until the final demise of the USSR. Flag Proportions: From 1923, Border Guard ensigns and flags were made in 2:3 proportions. Credits:  Information on many of these flags was taken from VEXILLOGRAPHIA, the outstanding website devoted to the historical and current flags of Russia and related countries.