[morzh]

The accounts of people who went to Ukraine and Belorussia during soviet times did indeed indicate that people there were on average much friendlier than those in Russia proper, especially those in Central Russia.

Would not account of all Russia as it is huge of course and there are many various local cultures that differ a lot, including the part when it comes to friendliness and hospitality.

[TA Forbes]

During my time in Military Special Ops I had the opportunity to meet Polish Recon men and Russian Spetznats (sp?) and Airborne men.

The Polish Recon and the Spetznats men were all large men. The Polish were reticent at first but eventually warmed up and were great guys and very good soldiers. The Spetznatz were stand-offish to the end.

The Russian Airborne men were reticent until after we all made a jump into DZ Holland at Ft Bragg. After the jump they loosened up and were pretty good guys.