I think so. It was surprising how few Russians spoke English, even in the major cities. It would've been much more difficult to engage with locals without my knowledge of Russian—which I'd say is at a 4th-grade level.

Yes.

Around Red Square in Moscow you will probably get along with English. In the rest of Moscow‘s city center: doubtful, but possible.

Elsewhere? Forget about it.

Except for St. Petersberg. Only one person I tried to talk to did not speak some English, a ticket inspector in the tram. Fortunately, just about every Russian around was immediately trying to help and translate. :-)

Oh, and learn by heart how „Выход в город“ looks like. I learned it after I spent about half an hour trying to emerge from the metro station to the surface, and only getting to yet another train line.