Problems with encoding in Linux console?

Question

linux

I log in to the server through Putty, the encoding is krakozyabrovaya. I read on the Internet that the locale should give LC_*="ru_RU.UTF-8", but it just gives me ru_RU without "utf-8".
What should I do to:
1) Support UTF-8 (is it enough just to change the locale to ru_RU.UTF-8 in the settings and is it safe?)
2) Change the default system language to English.

Answer 1

Let's start with the fact that you have RHEL5, not Debian ...

Answer 2

Putty for Windows uses KOI8 by default. Set UTF-8 in Windows->Translation and perhaps the problem will be solved if, of course, UTF-8 is used on the server.