As classic enthusiasts, we are naturally above politics. And we just see Mr Putin for what he is: An approximately one and a half meter tall man who clearly compensates for his lack of height from his acquired work situation.
It has always been messy in the region there. And many former USSR provinces are now independent states without much more than the genetic appetite for intoxication, bureaucracy and corruption.
But there are quite a few classics in the region that used to be tucked away behind the Iron Curtain. But to get it out?
For that you have to speak the language, know the country and you have to realize that you have to bribe anyone who has the faintest indication of a uniform.
You don't have to bribe wide men who don't wear uniforms, or at most "some sort of". They just take your money.
But because the 'Russians' simply institutionalize everything, there are chances of releasing classics from their tragic circumstances. Locally there is little interest in it. The average 'Russian' is happy if he can ride an 30 year old sidecar or an 20 year old Lada. Below average 'Russians' in the province still do it by horse and wagon. Plus one liter or two vodka a day. Russia is the only country in the world where the average age of men rises during the war.
And rich "Russians"?
They only drive the newest and thickest Mercedes and BMWs.
But if you want to ride a former Eastern Block classic, you can contact reasonably safely with Mr. Dmitry Lomakov and Lomakov's cars and motorcycles Museum (Moscow, Russia): 1museum@mail.ru
Mr. Lomakov has an Official Museum and from there he can sell and export.
www.lomakovka.ru/english.html