The first experience of the League Cup in the USSR can be considered All-Union Committee of Physical Culture and Sports Tournament in 1952.

The Federation's Cup lasted for five years from 1986 through 1990 and basically served as an extension of the football season after the league's reduction from 18 to 16 participants following 1986.

The following editions had their calendar extended to double this by splitting it where the early stage would start in spring and then qualified teams would continue to compete playing in fall.

The last edition (in 1990) was cut short substantially as a lot of participants did not only quit this competition, but also would withdraw out of the Football Federation of the Soviet Union.

[citation needed] Ukrainian clubs have the largest number of cups won with three, Russia and Kazakhstan have one each.