My fiance just got a tourist visa from the Russian Embassy in D.C. His dates of travel 12/24/10-1/3/11 requested - he got it for a whole month - 12/22/10-1/22-11 - so extra dates were given.

He used VisaHQ company recommended by others on this board - easy, breezy, no issues. Filled out an application online, dropped of his passport, go prossessed one week later at lower, 21+ day pricing fee ($140). ^