Russia vs Ukraine — Country Comparison
Russia
UkraineRussia and Ukraine side by side: Russia is the larger country (17,098,246 km² vs 603,550 km², roughly 28.3× the size), while Russia has the bigger population (146 million vs 32.9 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | Russia | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Moscow | Kyiv |
| Population | 146,028,325 | 32,862,000 |
| Area | 17,098,246 km² | 603,550 km² |
| Currency | Russian ruble | Ukrainian hryvnia |
| Language | Russian | Ukrainian |
| Dialling code | +7 | +380 |
| Main timezone | UTC+03:00 | UTC+02:00 |
| Drives on the | Right | Right |
| Region | Eastern Europe | Eastern Europe |
| Emergency number | 112 | 112 |
Key differences: Russia vs Ukraine
- Russia has about 4.4 times the population of Ukraine.
- Russia is about 28.3 times larger by area.
- Ukraine is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use different currencies: RUB and UAH.
- They do not share an official language.
- They share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 4,340 km apart.
- Russia is 1 hour ahead of Ukraine (UTC+03:00 vs UTC+02:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Want the full picture for each country? See Russia and Ukraine, or compare their population pages: Russia · Ukraine.
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Russia vs Ukraine — FAQ
Which is bigger, Russia or Ukraine?
Russia is bigger by area: 17,098,246 km² vs 603,550 km², roughly 28.3× the size of Ukraine.
Is Russia bigger than Ukraine?
Yes — Russia covers 17,098,246 km², compared to 603,550 km² for Ukraine.
Which has more people, Russia or Ukraine?
Russia has the larger population: 146,028,325 (146 million) vs 32,862,000 (32.9 million).
How does the size of Russia compare to Ukraine?
Russia (17,098,246 km²) is about 28.3× larger than Ukraine (603,550 km²).
Do Russia and Ukraine use the same currency?
No — Russia uses the Russian ruble and Ukraine uses the Ukrainian hryvnia.
Are Russia and Ukraine on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Europe.
What is the time difference between Russia and Ukraine?
Russia is 1 hour ahead of Ukraine (UTC+03:00 vs UTC+02:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Do Russia and Ukraine share an official language?
No — Russia and Ukraine do not share an official language.
Do Russia and Ukraine share a border?
Yes — Russia and Ukraine share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, Russia or Ukraine?
Ukraine is more densely populated at roughly 54 people per km², compared to 9 for Russia.
How far is Russia from Ukraine?
The distance between the geographic centres of Russia and Ukraine is roughly 4,340 km (2,700 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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