Carbon-based ruthenium catalysts were studied. The raw carbon material (CS) was obtained as a result of carbonization and activation of the resin - a derivative of styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer. After thermal treat ment of CS, activated carbon (C1900) was formed. Sorption and porosity measurements of polymeric precursor and both carbon materials showed that distribution of mesopores in the activated carbon was determined by texture of the initial polymer. Barium-promoted Ru/CS system had no catalytic activity in the reaction of ammonia synthesis, but the catalyst deposited on the thermally modified carbon (Ba-Ru/C-1900) was very active, much more than commercially applied fused iron catalyst.