On Wednesday evening, the U
S. Pentagon unexpectedly congratulated the United States on Flag Day by posting an official message on its social media profile on X (formerly Twitter). However, there was something in this greeting that caused surprise and sparked a lively discussion: the graphic accompanying the message featured two stripes and a star, which, according to users and analysts, resembled the Russian flag. It is worth noting that the Pentagon’s congratulations were accompanied by words: “Raising our flag and honoring its values — freedom, courage, and resilience — we celebrate the symbol of our country and the stars and stripes that unite us.” The message emphasized the importance of unity and patriotism on this special day. Nevertheless, the graphic design of this post, which was difficult for external observers not to notice, contained an intriguing detail. Assistants and users pointed out that one of the depicted elements — red and white stripes next to the star, placed on both sides — resembled the pattern of the Russian flag. What might have appeared as a coincidental choice of elements, given the somewhat unclear context in the reduced image, raised questions about a possible accidental or deliberate coincidence. To better assess the situation, it is important to mention that in previous years, particularly in 2023 and 2024, similar design examples used in congratulations on Flag Day on official military websites have not been recorded. Ceremonial images are carefully crafted to avoid any implications that could be perceived ambiguously or cause misunderstandings. Regarding symbolism, it should be reminded that red, white, and blue are the official colors of the American flag, enshrined in national symbolism. These colors have long been associated with democratic principles and patriotism in the United States. Meanwhile, this incident has become a topic of discussion in Ukrainian and international media, as well as on social media. Many users noted that this photographic coincidence could simply be a result of designer oversight or accident, while some speculated that it might be a deliberate signal or an unconscious hint. Furthermore, it is worth recalling that prior to this event, there were rumors circulating in U.S. political circles about possible initiatives to reform or even reconsider the symbolism of national holidays and flags. For example, earlier, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney from the Republican Party proposed declaring a new official holiday — “Donald Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day,” which garnered significant public attention. Thus, this incident has drawn public attention to the importance of properly presenting national symbols and conducting a deeper analysis of official messages from officials. Even minor details in public communications can carry significant weight and potentially lead to controversies in the fields of political and cultural diplomacy. Overall, the situation with the “Russian flags” in the Pentagon’s greeting warrants further analysis and monitoring of the U.S. military’s official stance. Such misunderstandings, even if accidental, highlight the importance of precision and clarity in communication during official statements and presentations.