russian visa problem
 

Hey there,
I have an issue with applying for my visa to visit russia, I'm a british citizen currently living in New Zealand.
I'm travelling to the uk later on this month and planned to apply for my visa there.
The problem is that through a oversight on my part my passport is due to run out in september and i understand i need three months left on my passport after i leave russia as a condition of applying for the russian visa.
I will be leaving the uk and travelling through europe, norway, finland and into russia.
What i need to know is:-
Should i renew my passport here in new zealand which will mean i shall be late leaving to the uk, it will apparently take four weeks to renew?
Does my passport need the three extra months on it when i apply for the invitation? This would mean i could apply for the invitation now with my old passport and while that was in process could be renewing my passport for the visa.
Also, in the uk passport renewal can be done over the counter in one day, shall i wait 'till i get to the uk, renew the passport, and then apply for the invitation, how long does this invitation process take?
If i get the invitation, can i leave on the trip and pick up the visa at a russian consulate/embassy on the way, in finland for example?
Any help would be appreciated.

I think that You should first renew Your pasport and then start to apply for all the visas you need.
It is often needed that your passport is valid for a few months after You leave the country. As I was in a similar situation a faw months earlier, I know that
Iran, Russia, Kazahstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan... etc., all of them demand that You have a valid passport for a (6 months, I think, not sure), after you leave their country.

6 months
 

Yes, the requirement is to have 6 months left on your passport after your intended date of exit. For eg, if you plan to exit Russia on 30 June, then your passport should be valid until at least 30 Dec.

This applies to most countries, not just Russia.

Today i've learnt:- If you throw enough money at a problem it goes away.