THE TRAVELLER IN THE NEW RUSSIA The last three years have been the most confusing time in Russian history since the original Bolshevik revolution in 1917, and travel to and from Russia has been radically effected. The Soviet Union has at long last ceased to exist and in its place are a myriad of smaller states loosely hung together around the CIS (or Commonwealth of Independent States) - what the final shape of the things will be we don't know as the situation is very fluid. However for travel purposes it is now possible to travel to the following totally independent countries in what was formerly Russia: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Moldavia(?), Russia plus a number of other countries in the Caucasus. east of the Urals a number of independent asiatic states are also emerging. Travel to Russia is still possible through the newly created Air Russia and Aeroflot from Heathrow to Moscow.This is a joint venture between BA and Aeroflot. Until the situation,both economic and political stabilises travel throughout the former Soviet Republics is a little risky. Russia Main cities: Capital:Moscow Main Port: St.Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) (More info will be added as the situation solidifies)