The white blue and red tricolor has been the flag of Russia since 1696. The red duster with hammer and sickle is the flag of the Communist Party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and was used as the USSR flag. When the Soviet Union broke up in 1991 and the Communist Party was banned in Russia, the individual states reverted to their previous flags.

The hammer and sickle was the emblem of the Soviet Union (USSR), which no longer exists. The tricolour is the flag of the Russian Federation.

You wouldn't think that the history of the country would have anything to do with it, now would you? Did you not consider googling the Russian flag to see what the likes of Wikipedia has to say about it?

A whole bloody library at their fingertips, and still no idea. Sigh. Today's technology is WASTED on the youth of today.

In late 80s and 90-s there was fashion to all western. Changing flag meant renouncement from soviet past. As the Civil War (1918-1922) led to hatred and intolerance to any imperial symbolism, adoption of Russian Empire flag was one more irritant for convinced communists, also symbol of victory of decaying capitalism and venality of those government.

3 colour russian flag was flag of Russian Empire for about 200 years before communists came to Russia. So we returned to our history.

You are mistaken. The flag of Russian Federation has nothing to do with suckle and hummer.

Welcome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Russia