We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the BBC website.

Russian has 33 symbols and that is it, why does everyone think this is so hard? Most foreigners (whom I have met) who learn Russian after 1 week of classes have the Cyrillic alphabet mostly memorized.

As a result of the reform, the Russian alphabet acquired its modern form, which has 33 letters that Russians use up to this day. Click here to read about Russia’s life-changing reforms.

If one group has its way, Russian schoolchildren will get a hearty dose of pro-Kremlin patriotism as they master the intricacies of the Russian alphabet.