The Journal was founded in 2002 (ISSN 0869-8732). Parallel title in English (until 2017): Bulletin of Russian Peoples’ Friendship University. Series Russian History.

The first editor-in-chief was Nur S. Kirabaev.  

In 2005-2013 Vladimir. M. Kozmenko was the editor-in-chief, since 2018 Marina N. Moseykina has been the editor-in-chief.

In 2015, ISSN (Print) was changed to the current one. Key title officially registred by ISSN Center: Vestnik Rossijskogo universiteta družby narodov. Seriâ Istoriâ Rossii.

In 2016, the Journal acquired ISSN (Online).

In 2017, the English name of the Journal was changed to RUDN Journal of Russian History. The Russian name acquired a transliterated version – Vestnik Rossiiskogo Universiteta Druzhby Narodov. Seriya: Istoriya Rossii.