Common photoredox catalysts Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and Ru(bpz)(3)(2+) are rapidly converted into Ruthenium(VIII)-oxide through continuous visible light irradiation in the presence of NaIO4 or H5IO6. This hitherto unreported photoassisted catalyst oxidation was utilized in the development of tandem catalytic protocols which combine a photoredox reaction with a subsequent RuO4-mediated oxidation. The new concept was demonstrated through one-pot radical cation Diels-Alder (RCDA)/1,5-diene cyclisation sequences.