This article reviews the organisation and delivery of social services for older persons in the Russian Federation – the major post-communist transitional economy. At the outset, we outline the basic demographic and epidemiological characteristics of population ageing in Russia; we focus on those characteristics that determine or influence the formation of needs for social services for older persons. The main content of the article is devoted to the evolution of policy in the field of social services for older citizens of Russia. The article concludes with a brief outline of future perspectives in addressing the social care needs in the country.