Russain experts - do they really have a 10 day holiday each spring?

Yes they do. My work has a satellite group in Moscow. They are supposed to be doing work to support my project, but they told me they will on be available for a couple days during the first half of May.

edit:

*will only be available for a couple of days during the first half of May

Yes - Russian Orthodox Easter is celebrated on May 5th; Victory Day (end of WWII) is on May 9th. People typically take time off the 1st through 10th-ish. Most people don't realize that more Soviets died in WWII than all other nations combined. Hitler brought the war to them, then they turned Hitler back. Pretty impressive.

kaleetan wrote:

edit:

*will only be available for a couple of days during the first half of May