I’d love to visit Russia but never on my own, with a guide. I’d be good scared to do or say anything wrong!
I've been to russia and tbf I always felt safe, and found the real everyday people to be absolutely lovely and helpful where possible. Many would assist me if I was lost on the metro for example and they would always try and make conversation with me in broken English, which was nice. I have been to Ukraine too, and they were equally lovely and helpful. They both have the most amazing churches and history, and it's awful that it'll end badly for both, with Ukraine being bombed into destruction, and putin being Russia's destruction and making it a pariah.