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I opened an account with a bank that has access to the exchange - that was one of the first hurdles, because not all credit institutions offer this service. Then I went through verification, topped up my account, and started small - literally with just a few OFZ (federal loan bonds). The main thing was not to rush and to figure out the trading platform interface so I wouldn't make a mistake when buying.
Actually, the process isn't complicated: you find a broker or open an account with a bank that offers brokerage services, go through verification (passport, INN, and all that), and top up your account. Then you log into the app or web interface, search for OFZ bonds by code or name, check the yield and maturity dates. What parameters are you interested in for the bonds - are you looking for long-term or short-term? And do you already have a brokerage account, or do you need to open one from scratch?
The main thing to understand before you start is that government bonds are traded on an exchange, so you'll need a brokerage account, not just a bank deposit. Not every bank provides access to trading, so it makes sense to pick a major player or a specialized broker right away. Once your account is open and you've completed verification, you can move on to buying through a trading terminal - you search for the bonds you need by their code, check the current price and trading volume, then place an order.
Before your first purchase, you should get familiar with the basic parameters: coupon income (the percentage paid to the bondholder), maturity date, and current yield. A lot of beginners make the mistake of buying bonds at the end of a coupon period, when the accrued coupon income is already high - and end up overpaying. It's worth learning how bonds are quoted on the exchange and how accrued interest works, otherwise your first trade might look unprofitable just because you don't understand the mechanics.
Start with smaller amounts and pick bonds with a maturity date that's coming up soon - that way you'll figure out how it works without taking on big risks. Don't chase the highest yield if you're not confident in the issuer. As you gain experience, it'll become clearer which bonds actually make sense for your situation.
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