Yes, most basic problems and needs can be solved despite language barriers. I can read Cyrillic alphabet and know only basic Russian phrases. It's enough to get by and find places, etc. But not enough to have an in depth conversation with a native Russian who doesn't speak English. On this journey, google translate helped a lot on my iPhone, esp. when I was walking in some cities alone (w/out my Russian friend). However, on the train my phone was dead and couldn't be charged.