NotHomeMuch
You're right in part
>>>If the machine is on the RA register a western pilot will not be able to fly it as Putin declared that only Russians will be issued with Russian licenses so trying with Skytech might be a lost cause, Juan.
If this RA-registered ship operated under permanent or temp.contract in other countries then RUS,crew may be non-Russian,and even don't have to have rus-issued licences
BUT they need Type Rating in Mil-8/17 anyway.
So,we are in Russia may hire western pilots on ships with N-reg,or let's say P4-reg.
But you need to know Russian language