Ruza is a town and the administrative center of Ruzsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located on the Ruza River 100 kilometers west of Mo…Ruza is a town and the administrative center of Ruzsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located on the Ruza River 100 kilometers west of Moscow. Population: 13,495 ; 13,516 ; 14,643. It was first mentioned in 1339 as a part of the Principality of Zvenigorod. It became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow in the early 16th century. The town was a fortress which protected Moscow from the west. During World War II, Ruza was occupied by the Germans from October 25, 1941, to January 17, 1942.