Yota has completed forming teams of its first network users, Yota Champions, in Sochi and Krasnodar. All in all we engaged 350 people for testing the network in Krasnodar and 250 in Sochi.

On October 15 Yota is going to meet the participants of the program in Krasnodar to hand-in the Champion’s Kit. Champions’ task will be to check Yota coverage in different city spots, both outdoors and indoors. The Yota Team in Krasnodar event will last till November 9.

Next week, on October 20 the Sochi’s event will take a new step. It will last till November 13.

After the event is over, the test network operation will be started in Sochi and Krasnodar, welcoming anyone to try out the network, followed afterwards by commercial operation.

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BTW – the ad above says “Hi, I’m Yota. I’ll be your friend”

Here’s the newest Apple licensed reseller called re:Store in the Krasnodar mall Krasnaya Ploshad (trans: “Red Square”). When driving up to the mall, stay right, pass the McDonald’s drive-through window on your left, and park just behind the mall. The store just inside the entrance on your left and is next to Maria Rafaela. Click the link above for directions and the website.

The staff, like all Apple stores, are young, knowledgeable, and friendly. The store has almost the same feel as do Apple stores in the US and as far as I could tell, it had almost the same selection of inventory.

BTW – the Apple brand is one of the hottest in Russia currently. It has not yet hit the mainstream consciousness but amongst the early adopters it is gaining market share quickly.

Apple would be well advised to open a flagship store in Moscow. Perhaps at the Crocus City Mall on the Ring Road near Sheremetievo Airport.

Fast casual chain in Krasnodar called Lyubo Dorogo Cafe. We ate lunch there on Saturday afternoon. Kind of a cross between Friendly’s and Au Bon Pain.

We had some Lime Rickey’s, espresso, an omlette, mushrooms in a sour cream sauce, an ice cream sunday, and a crepe filled with honey-soaked poppy seeds and covered with chocolate sauce.

The chain currently has 7 cafes and is continuing to grow. Based on our experience there, the formula between value and style is perfect. We give it high marks.

Note that in addition to having photos of the food (kind of like IHOP) the menu also features advertising at the bottom.