Lots of xenophobia on here. Having been to Russia and Ukraine seventeen times, I can tell you my personal observations. Russians are a warm and friendly people, and I never felt any hint of hostility there. Ukrainians, the young ones, were aggressive, and from personal experience, the Police were corrupt. Both spoke Russian predominantly, and the difference between them was unnoticeable. I was there when Yeltsin was president and obviously Putin. There are good and bad everywhere. Like most people, they like to be amongst their own kind - Slavs. I have found that with Americans, Africans, Jews, Thais - no difference - birds of a feather etc.