My only knowledge of Russia came from Hollywood movies, James Bond films in particular - though I was aware that From Russia with Love was made back in 60s.
It's official - Siberia is to stop being one of the only places on earth where you cannot buy a McDonald's hamburger.
The footballer-turned-actor is this week back in Russia on a film project, as the fall out from his last visit to the country is making headlines around the world.
This famous ballet troupe toured the UK, becoming unique cultural ambassadors and putting their native Krasnoyarsk on the map in the West.
Greenpeace is demanding the Russian government blocks a major Gazprom link to Shanghai across one of Siberia's most sacred wildernesses.