Russian is a Slavic language and one of the official languages of the Russian Federation, along with numerous other countries in the post-Soviet space. It is the most widely spoken Slavic language and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Russian is written in the Cyrillic script and is known for its rich literary tradition, producing renowned authors such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov.

The language has a complex grammar system, including aspects such as cases, verb conjugations, and a system of aspectual distinctions. Russian has a significant cultural and historical impact globally, not only due to its literature but also because of its influence during the Soviet era. Despite the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian remains a crucial language in international diplomacy and trade. Efforts are made to teach Russian as a foreign language, and it continues to be a language of scientific, cultural, and diplomatic exchange.