vladimir,
    the following references point to LH cyrillic fonts (available in
    teTeX, TeXLive). in particular, the reference like: "0x82/0xA2 in
    lati1200" means that you could type "tex testfont", create a table for
    the font lati1200, and look at slots 0x82 and 0xA2 (hex numbers).

many thanks!  this should give me exactly what i need.

one clarification:

    >   0453 -- gje (g with acute accent)

    seems it should look like g (0433) with acute accent. :)
    \'\cyrg

the new font that i'm looking at simply has the upright g obliqued,
with the accent; i have questioned that, but am looking for some
more expert knowledge than i have.  from your description here, i
gather that the usual sinuous russian italic g should get the accent,
rather than the oblique upright form.

thanks again.
-- bb