Russian Front: A Russian front somersault is a forward somersault, done with a specific straight arm circling lift. The timing of the arm circle lifting action is sometimes difficult for young gymnasts to understand and master. The arms circle upward, forward, downward and back to a locked out position in the back, that creates substantial lift for the front somersaulting action. The Russian front is not commonly used by gymnasts. When it is used, it is most often done as a front somie step-out skill into a round-off and into additional back tumbling skills. It has been done on beam, but is rarely seen.

Standing Russian Front Video – Note the Russian front arm lift action:

Video with the armlift timing for doing the Russian front from a run: