The term "Russian-speaking population" refers to individuals who use the Russian language as their primary or secondary means of communication. This group includes people from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other countries where Russian is widely spoken. The Russian-speaking community is diverse, encompassing various ethnicities and cultures. Globally, the Russian-speaking population is estimated to be around 260 million people. This includes native speakers as well as those who have learned Russian as a foreign language. The language plays a significant role in post-Soviet states and is often used in business, education, and media.