NO!!

I am saying there appears to be no forward dating or gap between application date and Visa start date.

I applied for my last Visa on 21 March 2006 and mentioned travel dates later in April 2006. That Visa was issued as valid from 21 March 2006 to 21 March 2007. Not April 06 to April 07. At least that was a little more than a year. A day for free1

I do not think further Visas can be applied for within Russia but you must be outside in another country. I read an article about this in The Moscow Times (free English language local daily newspaper) suggesting the merits of various European capitals for renewals and comparing respective application fees. I remember Helsinki and Paris were far cheaper than London. Probably due to closer historic, cultural and diplomatic ties.

Currently I am just west of London in the Denham/Uxbridge area, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of Heathrow. Always up for a and a chat! But planning to be away on the road in March (Morocco) and again during June to September (trans Russia).

The above visa experience is Russia which is my only experience of the countries you mention.

Considering routes I would avoid Belarus which is not so Bela and full of paperwork, bureaucracy and bribes (I am told). I would prefer a route to enter Russia via the Baltic states through Poland to Latvia or Estonia. All these countries are EU members which makes things much easier for UK citizens - possibly others too with close historic ties to UK, such as Canada.

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