ORAC,
Difficult to comment on Cyprus. Not clear what might be the Russian interest - what is written in the article as per URL you mentioned (3rd para) is more than questionable, IMHO. Moreover, if anybody here wants to keep Turkey away from the deal, there is a direct link to Erdogan - talk to him.
In general, Cyprus is a small poor island permanently suffering from lack of water. Recall that King Richard I (the Lionheart) sold it with a "huge discount" shortly after conquering it :-) Looks like it was useless even that long ago.
Also, the Russian criminal elements that flooded Cyprus in 90's then relocated to London (where they are welcome), thus those folks unlikely have interest in this piece of land, either.