Armenian-Russian relations date back to the 11th-12th centuries, during the time of Kievan Russia when there were many large-scale Armenian communities in the capital of Kyiv. The flow of Armenians to Russia increased in the 13th-14th centuries when communities were established in Moscow, Novgorod, Kazan, Astrakhan, the North Caucasus, and elsewhere.

In the 17th century, an Armenian commercial bourgeoisie was born in Russia. During this time, Armenians settled in Astrakhan and the new capital of Russia, St. Petersburg. They started to invest in production with Armenian industrialists such as the Isakhanovs, Lazaryans, and others establishing various manufactories in the central and southern regions of Russia.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, during the reign of Peter I, Eastern policy became one of the cornerstones of Russia's foreign policy where Armenians played one of the key factors. In 1701, Israel Oru's visit to Moscow and the political talks he initiated with the Russian government made the role of the Armenian community even more important, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The project for the liberation of Armenia and the restoration of the Armenian statehood were developed here. 

The Armenian communities in Russia were granted not only economic but also legal privileges by the country's authorities.

The Armenian Church has played an important role in the lives of Russian-Armenians. The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Astrakhan, which united all Armenians living in Russia, was established in 1717. Armenian churches operated in almost all heavily Armenian populated areas. 

In the 18th century, schools were established in the Armenian settlements in Russia. The most famous were New Nakhichevan St. Khach Monastery School, Astrakhan Aghababyan School, and Moscow’s Lazarian Seminary.

One of the most important manifestations of the cultural life of the Armenian communities was the Enlightenment movement. With the development of the printing press, Armenian newspapers and magazines began to be published in Moscow, New Nakhichevan, St. Petersburg, and Pyatigorsk.

The process of formation of Armenian communities continued in the 19th century.

Some of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide who emigrated from Western Armenia found refuge in larger cities within the southern part of the Russian Empire. The influx of Armenians consolidated old Armenian communities and established new ones, dramatically increasing the number of Armenian communities. During those years, charitable organizations and aid committees were set up in Russian-Armenian communities in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and New Nakhichevan to provide significant assistance to Armenian refugees in Russia.

The Armenians of Russia also took an active part in the political life of the empire. Political organizations, the ARF, and SDHP operated in some Armenian communities. 

After joining Russia, Eastern Armenia became the main cultural hub for Armenian communities. Since 1921, the Armenian House of Culture in Moscow and the Lazarian Seminary became important centers for the development of Oriental and Armenian studies. 

At the same time, Armenians began to get involved in the social-class struggle in the country. In 1917 after the October revolution, the Armenian Commissariat for National Affairs was established under the Russian Commissariat for Nationalities. From the second half of the twentieth century, the cultural life of the Armenian communities in Russia gradually decreased. Armenian schools and periodicals were closed, and the activities of the Armenian Church were banned.

The democratic processes following the collapse of the USSR gave rise to the social and cultural life of the Armenian communities in Russia. Those years were also marked by an unprecedented influx of Armenians to Russia. In 1988, most Armenians emigrated as a result of the Spitak earthquake and the economic blockade, they settled in the regions of Krasnodar, Stavropol Territories, Rostov, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, as well as in the industrial centers of the Urals and Siberia. A significant number of Armenians emigrated to Russia from Azerbaijan and Abkhazia.

At that time, the Armenian Churches of St. Petersburg and Moscow were returned to the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in New Nakhichevan and Moscow, more than 30 churches now operate in these communities. Armenian schools were reopened in a number of locations, and Armenian language classes were set up. Armenian or bilingual (Armenian and Russian) newspapers are published in Russia with Armenian cultural centers and companies established in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Stavropol, Armavir, Sochi, Anapa, and Krasnoyarsk.
Throughout history, Armenians in Russia have made significant contributions to the intellectual life of both Russia and Armenian. Notable figures include writers Vahan Teryan and Marieta Shahinyan, composer Aram Khachaturian, playwright Yevgeny Vakhtangov, physicist Abraham Alikhanov, architect Karo Halabyan, economist Abel Aghazambasyan, marshals Hovhaness Baghramyan, and Hamazasp Babajanyan, admiral Hovhannes Isakov, statesman Alexander Myasnikyan, world chess champion Tigran Petrosyan, academic Sergey Aghyan, and others.
Many Armenians in Russia became entrepreneurs, establishing financial businesses such as brokerage firms and banking institutions in larger cities. In rural areas like Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, they built farms and construction companies.

In 1995, the Russian State Duma recognized the Armenian Genocide. According to unofficial data, there are currently 2.5-3 million Armenians living in Russia. The most populated area is Moscow but the surrounding regions of Rostov, Krasnodar, and Stavropol Territory have a significant number of Armenians as well.

There are more than 250 Armenian community institutions and unions, 65 youth organizations, about 230 Armenian Sunday schools, colleges and preschools, 72 churches, and 45 print media outlets in the Russian Federation. The centers of Armenian studies and chairs are located in Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Sochi, Simferopol, and Pyatigorsk.

From 1996 to 2011, the Armenian Cathedral Complex was built in Moscow, which became the residence of the Heads of the Novo-Nakhichevan and Russian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and one of the spiritual centers for Armenians in Russia.

On June 16, 2000, the Union of Armenians of Russia was established in Moscow. There are regional branches of the UAR in 63 republics, territories, and regions within the Russian Federation.

On June 7, 2018, a new non-governmental organization named The Union of Armenians of Russia began operating in Moscow.