Between 2003 and 2015, he led GB's junior sides to seven medals at World Championship tournaments, including four gold medals. Since taking over Great Britain Men in 2014–15, Russell led GB to two successive silver medals at the World Championship Division I Group B in his first two seasons in charge of the national team. In 2017, he won gold on home ice and promotion to the second tier. In 2018, he led GB to a memorable gold in Hungary in the World Championship Division I Group A to secure a top-flight World Championship place for 2019. Russell then led Great Britain to a dramatic overtime victory over France at the 2019 IIHF World Championship which preserved their top-flight status.