The Russian Navy as such was created by czar Peter I, who also cared for assigning appropriate flags to his ships. Inspired by both Dutch and British ensigns, he was determined to use white, blue and red for his maritime flags. The present design was first used by the Russian fleet galley in Azov Sea. Apparently, it was superseded in 1693 by a more well-known 3-striped design – which also lasted just a couple of decades, BTW.
Sources: Vexillographia website (Флаги России, http://www.vexillographia.ru/russia/index.htm):Flags of the military fleet of the Russian Empire (part 1) | Flags of The World (FOTW) website:Russian Navy early flags | Wikipedia(en):List of Russian flags#Historical flags of Russia
Sizes: ensign W12 x L18 mm, mast flags W8 x L23 and W8 x L12mm, jack W6 x L9 mm, pennant W4 x L48 mm.