Can I go on a trip by myself at 17?

When i graduate high school , i want to go to russia,possibly on my own however ill only be 17. Will the airlines let me fly because no one would be there to pick me up in russia? ( some airlines say that i must be picked up by an adult, but can i get a letter from my parents saying that i have permission to travel and leave alone? will the airline force me to be an unaccompanied minor b/c in still 17 on an international flight ant treat me the same as a 12 year old? thank u