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According to the Ministry of Education, more than 38,000 schools in Russia will accommodate 17.5 million students in the 2026-2027 academic year. The number of first-graders is 1.5 million. The average price of a bouquet (usually roses) for September 1st (Knowledge Day and the start of the school year) is about 50 USD. According to the Ministry of Finance, the Russian federal budget deficit for January-July 2026 was 6.455T rubles (80B USD or 2.8% of GDP), 70.5% higher than the planned budgeted deficit for 2026. Oil and gas revenues decreased by 16.8% to 4.595T. Non-oil and gas revenues - +18.3% (17.518T), VAT revenues - +24.9% (9.791T). Expenditures - +14.5% (28.567T). In 2026, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service, the number of prisoners in pretrial detention centers and penal institutions in Russia decreased to 282,000. At the end of 2021, the number stood at 465,000. The main factors are the humanization of criminal penalties (forced labor, suspended sentences, etc.) and a program to recruit contract soldiers into the Armed Forces. In Q1 2026, the Russian federal budget deficit reached 4.575T rubles, (20.87% higher than the planned annual deficit). Expenditures amounted to 12.885T, (17% higher than last year's level). Revenues were 8.2% lower (8.31T), oil and natural gas - 45.4% lower (1.443T). Non-oil and gas revenues increased by 7.1% to 6.866T. According to Rusprofile, women account for 45.5% (7.9 million) of all active individual entrepreneurs in Russia. Among sellers on the largest Russian marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries), their share is steadily growing, and in some categories already exceeds 50%. At the same time, men dominate among company managers (1,650,262 versus 851,771). More notes from Russia »
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Claire asks: Hello, I would like to visit Tuva with my dog Ulaan and spend a month or two there. Is it possible to find an English-speaking guide (I am French) as my Russian is practically nonexistent? What would the budget be, and how would I get there given the difficulties between our two countries? Thank you in advance for any answers you can provide.
Expert's answer:
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any direct contacts for guides in Tuva that might be helpful. Try contacting the Siberian tour operator Sayan Ring; they might be able to help you.

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Featured Russian city: Kyzyl

Kyzyl

Kyzyl, Russia

Kyzyl, the capital of the Republic of Tuva, is a city in Russia located in the geographical center of Asia in the south of Eastern Siberia, about 4,630 km east of Moscow.... More...

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