The White-Blue-White Flag (Бело-сине-белый флаг) has emerged in recent weeks as an anti-war symbol in Russia. We asked UBC students how that flag makes them feel in the midst of the invasion of Ukraine. We thank our student colleagues for sharing their thoughts with us!
Olga Belokon (4th-year MA student, Asian Studies):
“For me it is mainly a symbol of hope. It symbolizes the hope that my generation—people who have the same values as mine (sanctity of human life, upholding justice and equity)—have for the ‘new Russia’ we are struggling to create for ourselves and future generations. I know that this flag started with an idea of ‘washing off the blood’ Russian people are now stained with due to this heartbreaking war on Ukraine. I do not believe we will be able to forget or brush off what has been done. But as this flag is now rising on anti-war protests, I hope that new paths and opportunities will arise for a peaceful Russia, which no longer will dwell on its military past and military might. This flag is a promise of freedom.”
Sam Meester (1st-year UBC student, undeclared):
“I am vehemently anti-war and appreciate the sentiment embodied in the white-blue-white flag. My fear is that by displaying a primarily anti-war flag there is the possibility of reducing the conflict just to one of arms, when really it is much greater. It is important to remember, in my eyes, that the goal in this moment is not only to stop the war, but to also abolish the notion that Ukraine belongs in any way to Russia. Thus while I think the sentiment of the white-blue-white flag is important, I wonder if a Ukrainian flag might be more appropriate and all encompassing. In my opinion it too is an anti-war flag that simultaneously captures the strength and sovereignty of the Ukrainian people. It reminds us that the crux of this conflict is as much for the preservation of democracy throughout the world as it is for the right for Ukraine to exist, in peace, as an independent nation with a rich and unique culture of its own, and that Russian aggression is merely an obstacle through which the Ukrainian people will prevail. As a Ukrainian, when I see people waving Russian flags, I simultaneously support them in a fight against their government, but feel conflicted that the conversation is being moved back to Russia and away from Ukraine. The Ukrainian flag reminds us that while this fight is being fought on many fronts, including within the social climate of Russia, it is Ukrainian culture and sovereignty that is at stake.”
Dasha Kalyuk-Klyuchareva (4th-year student, Chemical Biology):
“A great way to show support for Ukraine is to hang up a Ukrainian flag, but the white and blue Russian flag doesn’t just show that you support Ukraine, it also shows that Russians, or ‘the occupiers’, support Ukraine. I think it is a very powerful symbol that shows not only support of Ukraine but also is an act of rebellion and protest against Russia by their very own people, which, in the end, is what is going to stop the corruption in the Russian government. In my opinion it is also very brave to sport such a flag, since many Russians face charges for treason if they’re found protesting the war in Russia. So to show support with the risk of being fined or jailed really means a great deal. The blue and white flag is missing the red stripe to signify the ‘washing off blood from the Russian flag’ which at the moment is appropriate, but I wouldn’t consider its use in the future because, like it or not, the war will end with blood on Russia’s hands, and actually removing the colour red from their flag isn’t going to make Ukraine forget.”
