Steve.
You can always make a effort to learn the language.
I was in Kremenchuk last year with very little knowledge of Russian. I had got some translation books from the libuary before I left plus I took a Lonely Planet book. The only time I spoke to anyone in English was in Odesa. Life is a two way thing. If I went to live in Kremenchuk I would learn the language. It is called good manners.
Graham