The article presents a methodology for a comprehensive assessment of the environmental situation in Russian Federation regions based on the pollution index and the index of the ecological tension. The evaluation was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the degree of pollution of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere of the regions was estimated on the basis of the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, departing from stationary sources, the formation of solid domestic wastes (SDW) and the discharge of contaminated wastewater. Based on these three indicators, a pollution index was constructed that estimates aggregate pollution level. In the second stage, the authors made the estimation of loads generated by atmospheric emissions, solid waste and waste water discharged into the territory of each region, per capita and in relation to the environmental capacity of the economy. This allows us to take into account the area of pollution, anthropogenic pressure and environmental responsibility of the population, as well as the environmental friendliness of production. On the basis of relative indicators, the index of ecological tension was created.