What Countries Speak Russian? A Complete List
Russian is one of the world's most widely spoken languages โ the 8th most spoken globally, with an estimated 260 million speakers. It is official in several countries and serves as a lingua franca across the post-Soviet space. Here is a clear list of where Russian is spoken and in what role.
- Countries where Russian is an official or co-official language
- Where Russian is widely spoken without official status
- How many people speak Russian worldwide
- Why Russian geography matters for learners
Countries Where Russian Is an Official Language
Russian is an official language in 4 sovereign countries โ Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan โ and is widely spoken across more than a dozen additional nations, from Ukraine and Moldova to the Baltic states and Central Asia.
Russian is the sole or co-official state language in:
- Russia โ Primary official language. Native language for the majority.
- Belarus โ Co-official with Belarusian. Russian is used in government, media, and daily life.
- Kazakhstan โ Co-official with Kazakh. Russian is widely used in business, education, and cities.
- Kyrgyzstan โ Co-official with Kyrgyz. Russian is used in administration and interethnic communication.
- Abkhazia (disputed) โ Co-official.
- South Ossetia (disputed) โ Co-official.
- Transnistria (unrecognized) โ Co-official with Ukrainian and Moldovan.
So in terms of official status, Russian is an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, plus a few disputed or unrecognized territories.
Curious about communicating across Russian-speaking countries? Book a free trial lesson and start building your Russian with a native teacher.
Countries Where Russian Is Widely Spoken (No Official Status)
In these countries Russian is not an official state language but is commonly used as a first or second language:
- Ukraine โ Many native and second-language speakers, especially in the east and south. Status and use have changed with recent language policy. See our comparison of Russian vs Ukrainian for more on the relationship between these languages.
- Moldova โ Widely used, especially in Transnistria and in cities. "Moldovan" is official; Russian functions as a lingua franca for many.
- Uzbekistan โ Large Russian-speaking population, especially in Tashkent and among older generations. Use has declined among youth.
- Tajikistan โ Used in business and interethnic communication; many Tajiks speak Russian as a second language.
- Turkmenistan โ Less used than in Soviet times but still present among older and urban populations.
- Armenia โ Many Armenians speak Russian as a second language; used in business and with Russian-speaking diaspora.
- Azerbaijan โ Spoken by a significant minority and in Baku.
- Georgia โ Spoken by part of the population, especially older generations and in some regions.
- Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia โ Large Russian-speaking minorities; Russian is not official but widely used in daily life.
- Israel โ Many immigrants from the former USSR; Russian is a major community language.
- Germany, USA, Canada โ Large Russian-speaking diaspora communities.
How Many People Speak Russian?
- Native speakers: Roughly 150โ160 million (mostly in Russia and the post-Soviet states).
- Second language: Tens of millions more in the CIS, Baltics, Israel, and elsewhere.
- Total: Often estimated at 260 million including native and non-native speakers, making Russian the 8th most spoken language globally.
With so many countries using Russian, learning the language opens doors worldwide. See our pricing plans or start with a free trial lesson to find the right fit for you.
Why This Matters for Learners
- Travel: Russian is useful in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine (depending on region), the Baltics, and in diaspora communities worldwide.
- Business: In the CIS and with Russian-speaking partners, Russian is often the working language.
- Media and culture: Russian-language media, books, and online content reach a huge audience across these countries.
Learning standard Russian (as taught at VividRussian School) prepares you for communication across all these regions. You may hear different accents and some local words โ explore our guide to Russian dialects โ but the core language is the same. Wondering how long it takes to learn Russian? Most learners reach conversational level within 6โ12 months of consistent study.
Summary Table
| Status | Countries |
|---|---|
| Official (or co-official) | Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (+ disputed/partially recognized territories) |
| Widely used, not official | Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Israel, diaspora (e.g. Germany, USA, Canada) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Russian useful for travel?
Yes. Russian is understood in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and to varying degrees in Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltics, Georgia, Armenia, and Central Asia. It functions as a lingua franca across much of the post-Soviet space, making it one of the most practical languages for travel in Eurasia.
Is Russian spoken in Europe?
Russian is widely spoken in the Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) by significant minority populations, and it's common in parts of Germany, Cyprus, and other EU countries with large diaspora communities. It is also one of the six official UN languages.
Will Russian decline as a global language?
Unlikely in the near term. With 260 million speakers, official status in 4 countries, and its role as a lingua franca across Central Asia and the Caucasus, Russian remains one of the world's major languages. While its use has shifted in some post-Soviet states, it continues to be a key language for business, diplomacy, and culture in the region.
Practice with Native Speakers
Many of our teachers at VividRussian School are from different Russian-speaking countries. You get used to standard Russian and real-world variety. Book a free trial lesson and start practicing today.