I wrote this on another website in answer to someone fumbling with the alphabet:
Look ... you're psyching yourself out before you even start by making it such a big deal. It really isn't.
Here's a strategy:
1.) Find a website with some simple Russian cognates.
2.) Write'em up as flashcards. You don't need many -- you're not learning vocabulary here, you're trying to develop recognition. There are only 33 characters; a dozen well-chosen cards will cover them nicely.
Examples:
бар --- bar
телефон --- telephone
класс --- class
There ... 11 letters covered in 3 words. 1/3 of the alphabet conquered.
I'll get you started:
http://www.languagedaily.com/home/index ... n_cognates