I wonder where in Russia he is from? It makes a BIG difference. The "Russians" we Westerners think of are from the Russia where the vast majority of Russians live: a rough triangle with points at St Petersburg, Moscow, and Kiev. Go further south or east and "Russians" are VERY different, physically, mentally, and culturally. The Byzantine nature of the Russian southeast through the length of the Silk Road is readily apparent, even today. But the look/culture/style of those "Russians" are not what we Westerners would consider "Russian" at all.
Berobijian from what I heard was ussrs attempt the exile Jews to Siberia more diplomatically than sending them to the gulag. One of my grandfather had "Jew" as his nationallity in his passport (he was born in ukraine) and I remember getting into countless debates about the question back in high school. Here in Canada you can be Israeli, being a Jew is not a nationality . Brings back some memories... I don't really know where I was going with this comment anymore