Russia has become much easier for visa processing, not cheaper, just easier. There is an option for fast processing that allows same day issuance, but you'll pay handsomely for the privilege. Now that many Latin American countries are visa-waiver for Russia the number of visas the consulates are processing everywhere seems to be declining. Friends report similar experiences in the EU because there are fewer non-EU applicants due to the same Visa-waiver programs for much of Eastern Europe.

These days it is the US and the EU that have the problems getting visas. What a switch.