The invention relates to a method for producing terpene aldehydes and terpene ketones by oxidatively dehydrogenating the corresponding terpene alcohols, comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) providing terpene alcohols or terpene-alcohol-containing reactants; (b) bringing the starting substances from step (a) in contact with a heterogeneous ruthenium catalyst; (c) heating the mixture from step (b) to at least 150° C. in the presence of oxygen; optionally (d) separating the terpene aldehydes or terpene ketones from the obtained reaction mixture.