I started flying into Russia in 2005. 7 years on and it has improved a lot
Rifles used to be levelled at you if you opened the door before Immigration turned up. Now they just yell at you to close the door.
Beirut Airport is entertaining from a passenger POV.
SVO, ah yes... We were there when the pax kicked off about the lack of de-icing stuff. Fortunately, we were waiting for transport at the VIP section so missed all the fun. Duty free is worth looking around. (VIP section)
DMO, is fun. Travelling in uniform works there
My personal fave is St Petersburg. ATC pretty good, Handling very good. People great.
I have flown to a few other more remote airports. It makes Moscow look like London.
How you get yourself established and on the approach is up to you.
The runway surface is something else. Rough just doesn't describe it.
There are worse countries. And they are in Europe...
