[14] On 7 July 2005, in a co-ordinated bomb attack, an explosion in a train travelling between King's Cross St. Pancras and Russell Square resulted in the deaths of 26 people.

[16] On 20 July 2011, English Heritage gave the station buildings Grade II listed status, describing it as: a good example of a station designed by Leslie Green to serve the GNP & BR, later the Piccadilly Line, retaining original tiled lettering.

The interior, while altered, features of interest survive at lower levels including tiling and directional signage.

The Yerkes group of stations designed by Leslie Green illustrate a remarkable phase in the development of the capital's transport system, with the pioneering use of a strong and consistent corporate image; the characteristic ox-blood faience façades are instantly recognisable and count among the most iconic of London building types.

[24] Russell Square tube station was used as the location for the 1972 horror film Death Line,[25] which starred Donald Pleasence, Christopher Lee and Clive Swift.