In all big cities Barnaul included, you can withdraw money out of an ATM machine using a Visa debit card...NOT Visa electron or Mastercard as readily.
I would open an online bank account and then use the ATM/debit card they give you to withdraw money as you go along. You can then withdraw the money as you need, AND not get hit with too bad of a rate.
Carry 1000 $/Euro in small notes as spare...ditch the safe...
tuck those notes into a smart place.
You WILL be asked to declare foreign curreny on you when you cross borders...no need to carry anything that will raise attention.
HTH
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