First generation Grubbs catalyst [RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHPh)] and related complexes of a general formula [RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHR)], where R is an aromatic or methyl group, undergo efficient reaction with trimethylsilylacetylene and related silylacetylenes to form vinyl carbene complexes [RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHCHCHR)] and disiloxane. The reaction requires the presence of water in the reaction medium. It is a convenient method for the high-yield synthesis of ruthenium vinyl carbene complexes. For benzylidene complexes, the reaction gives exclusively E-geometry of vinyl carbene ligand.