Did some of my flight training (first solo stapped to Yak 52) in Crimea in 1992 - why? well it was fun and £30 an hr wet incl DOSAFF instructors
Anyway - Buran - the mechanics for the Yaks were originally aeronautical engineers on the Buran project but earnt more money fixing Yakolev and PZL light aircraft!
Twin turbine Mil helicopter was 100USD an hr dual - but that instructor spoke no english!