Hello,

I was pulled over 10 days ago on my way from kz to Novosibirsk by a nice fellow whom just wanted to chat a bit in english. ( I was respecting the speed limit ) When I offered to present my papers, " documents " in russian, he said it was not needed. The other guy came out of the car as well and at the end of the break wished me a safe journey. So, yes, cops in Russia can be very nice guys. Let's see if the 6 000 km to Vlad change my mind.
Luc

There is only one notorious police stop on the main highway between Novosibirsk and Vladivostok ... watch out for them at Nizhny Ingash ... about 60 km east of Kansk.

I won't again add my experience and views of the general topic - they are on several other similar threads already.

However I point out increased police (Милйция) presence in the Caucases and their increased interest in foreigners is a result of the political and separatist unrest throughout the region (eg. Ossettia, Dagestan, Chechnia etc) where various groups have in recent times carried out bloody acts of terrorism, kidnap and murder, not to mention outright war, all to try to publicise their cause or achieve their individual objectives.
Foreigners are particularly good victims for them as they think their plight might bring international knowledge, support and pressure for their cause.

So it is reassuring if the various authorities know we are around and they can keep a closer watch for our safety.

The roads police (ДПС) are not primarily interested in anything other than traffic matters. But their passing on information of unusual or foreign 'traffic' is no bad thing if it assists both national and individual security.

I have been stopped more frequently in this area than elswhere (and I have been almost everywhere in RUS). Once I was initially very surprised when my bike was stopped on an unmade track in the high mountains by Милйция who checked my passport and visas were valid, through a 'live' link to the Borders computer.
I have no objection to this - it all adds to my safety!

Hmm... I didn't always get the impression that the traffic police (DPS) in the Caucasus were interested in my safety... or anyone else's for that matter. One guy offered me a go with his Kalashnikov for R200 on the main border crossing between N Ossetia and Ingushetia. But yes, I understand the general situation there. But the traffic police have very little to do with anyone's safety in my eyes.

Daniel