Oh, we definitely know similar people and places, for sure! But, you did leave in 1997...Russia post-1998 default changed radically. Prior was a very post-Soviet mindset...when the ruble hit the fan and prices on all imports skyrocketed overnight and new wealth was wiped out, Russians began to approach the matter of rebuilding (and stealing) differently.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Patrick-Kean/author/B083PZPBJV?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true This is a very personal account of my Russia experience. It has its moments and it also has moments that I now look back at being whiny and annoying, especially given all that has happened in the past two years. It's just an FYI )