In the title complex, [RuCl2(C7H7NO)(C2H6OS)(2)], the metal ion is at the centre of a distorted octahedral NOCl2S2 coordination sphere. The neutral 2-acetylpyridine ligand binds to the metal ion through the pyridine N and carbonyl O atoms, forming a five-membered chelate ring. The monodentate S-coordinating dimethyl sulfoxide molecules are mutually cis, and the two remaining positions in the coordination sphere are occupied by two mutually trans Cl- ions.