The red-and-black flag: a symbol of blood, soil, and shifting identities
In short: Once the banner of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the red-and-black flag is a lightning rod for controversy. While some see it as a symbol of national resistance, others view it as a mark of totalitarianism. Its meaning shifts depending on which side of the border you stand.
The red-and-black flag, also known as the Banderite flag, was designed by the OUN-B faction to represent the concept of 'blood and soil.' This ideology was influenced by the widespread use of similar concepts by Nazi Germany. While the OUN-B sought a distinct identity from the OUN-M—which used a blue flag with a golden trident—the specific proportions and design of the red-and-black flag were never finalized by a commission due to the outbreak of World War II.
The colors themselves have deeper historical roots. Historian Andriy Grechylo suggests the scheme traces back to the Zaporozhian Cossacks, noting its presence in an 1880–1891 painting. The colors were also used by the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen between 1914 and 1917, and by the Knights of the Iron Spur in autumn 1916.
Today, the flag's perception is deeply polarized. In Ukraine, its usage surged following the 2014 Russian invasion, where it became an unofficial war flag and a symbol of resistance. Conversely, the Polish people link this flag to UPA-led killings of Poles throughout Eastern Galicia and Volhynia. Under Polish law, displaying the flag can lead to police action, as it may be interpreted as promoting fascism or other totalitarian systems.
The tension reached a peak in recent years. Regarding the flags seen on Polish-supplied armoured vehicles, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz intervened in December 2024. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada has moved to formalize the use of a 'Flag of National Dignity' to honor those who fought for independence.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army
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