Trains in Russia is strange. I like it but it can be strange for foreigners. Its 2 basic types of train vagons - 'plats' and 'coupe'. In 'Coupe' the vagon divided into 9 parts with a 4 places for sleep and 1 table, also a place for luggage. Every 'coupe' has its door, which can be locked. 
Another type - is a 'plats' - basically - its the same 'coupe' but with no doors and with 2 sleeping places with 1 table opposed to each coupe. So vagon becomes a big place for 54 people.

Usually train travels are more than 24 hours. Some of the directions (like a Vladivostok) can be up 14 days.

I personally like trains, like 'plats' vagons. You meet a lot of people there, thay like to speak to tell a stories, which is fun.

Also a funny fact on Russian train travels. Every train has so called 'restaurant' vagon, where you can eat. But its a tradition in Russia taking food for travel with you from home. So 'plats' vagons fast become a place where people start opening their bags and taking out some home made food... THIS can be really strange for a foreigner! )))

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On the army matter. It was very bad in 80s-90s-start of 2000s. But now situation on the army abuses changed to better. My friend returns from army last year and he tells me it wasn't even one  case of somebody trying to abuse him. (Also now young guys in Army allowed to have mobile phones with them. So if something happens and the seargant didn't react - they can call parents/military police and it will be a LOT of problems for officials). So situation very much changed to better.

Just wanted to bump the thread in case of some more questions arise! )

That eurovision event was... well, kinda shame that those 17 y.o. girls got all the negativity because of the Ukraine :/

Greetings from the other side of the Pole. What do Russians think about Canada (other than we're America's hat)? And have you read the Metro 2033 book series?

I have some questions. Some days ago there was a terrible massacre in Odessa done by the Ukranian military against some separatists, and aparently some other regions are under heavy attack as well. Is the Russian government going to take any action to defend ethnic russians in Ukraine?

Also, is the Russian government going to recognize the referendums taken in Donetsk and Lugansk?

Final question, do you consider some Latin American countries as allies?

Hi! Canada is northern country - so of course we like you! ))) It is a country with all the benefits of USA but with colder weather and minus all the USA crasyness. (This is just my personal opinion).
I didn't read Metro books. They are very popular in Russia recently, but I've stopped reading fantasy books some time ago. 

I'm not a Russian government - so it will be just my personal feelings on the matters.
1. Odessa. The problem is not Ukraines kills Russians. Its Ukraines kills Ukraines. Ethnik things their are so thin that its hard to say who is Russian and who is not. (I think the normal American will not be able to differentiate Russian from Ukraine or Belarus person. Because its the same people in fact.) So the things are much harder and I personally don't know what can be done there.
2. I think yes. But what will be after it? Who knows. (Referendums are for independance of those regions, not about joining Russia!)
3. Hard to say. Cuba - surely. Others - i don't know. I'd be glad to know more about those countries. I'm not speaking here only about Venesuela and Equador. Argentina and Brazilia - too. 

Yeah, it's terrible what's happening there, but I think some people there are clearly pro-Russia, and maybe consider themselves as Russians? Because I was really surprised to when I watched some footage of people wearing Russian flags instead of Ukranian flags. 

What's going to happen to those regions that seek independence? Ukraine is not going to recognize their referendum, so I think military oppression is the most likeable move. 

I asked that because RT has become a popular Network in some countries. 

Russia has the right to protect it self from foreign aggression (US and its personal bitches Nato) but using the whole "nazi" excuse to enter and annex Ukraine is quite laughable. There are plenty of Nazis in Russia who go around in groups and beat and kill foreigners on a daily bases. If putin wants to combat nazis then start at home first.

The problem with Ukraine is that its large. If you'll look on the map of Crimea, you'll see that its easy to secure the peninsula. Ukraine NAVY isn't exist in real life, so it was easy to get stability in the area. 

Donetsk and Lugansk - are in the steppe, preria. You can't secure it by force. So that problem should be solved some other way. Looking on Egypt I hope that Ukraine military will say 'enough' and bring down new so called 'authorites'. Its the only realistic way out of this situation I see.

Also RT is nice. Its good that people in the West can get another point of view.