i haven't properly lived there but extended stay as tourist. (6 months) and it was very nice. i met a lot of russians that did not speak english but we became friends anyways using translators and gesturing, never saw anything fucked up except this one street in a city that was disorganized i used to go to this little coffee place and drink my morning coffee in a street that looked bombed out. normal people looked at me like i was a idiot with big eyes while passing. but i have this love for bombed out shit :) many russians thought i was russian because i am blonde with blue eyes, so they looked surprised when i said "ye niponimanju russki"
Denmark