Nothing wrong with a long winded post moscowflyer, yes it seems things have moved on since My days of trundling back & to, I can’t believe the price of the fuel to start with & the drivers wages seem decent although this is no doubt reflected in the cost of living. I always thought Moscow to be probably the most expensive city I ever visited as a lorry driver.
I remember in the early 90’s seeing Sovtransauto allover europe & in Piraeus GR they used to use the same agent as Me to clear customs, they ran a fine fleet too on international work F12 Volvos & SK Mercs, when doing Russian work later I used to unload at there terminal in St-Petersburg & I also had a few repairs done by them, there workshops where fantastic like nothing I’d seen before or since & they carried everything imaginable for a Volvo. I can imagine back in the day to be granted permission to be sent abroad was akin to being something very special & highly trusted by the government of the time.
Anyway I’ll hold My hands up 
after making a call the rates I quoted where from 2011 when it was rock bottom, apparently its been creeping up quite dramatically with this permit issue & I got quoted London - Moscow DDU £4000 
whence I nearly dropped through the floor, its due to drop again in the new year when the new permit allocation comes into effect. I think its about time to really as the Poles have had an absolute stranglehold on this market for a long time due to geography & the other things I’d rather not get involved in incase Orys is looking in 
I still dont think its a viable proposition for a UK haulier to pick up the rains again but why are’nt there more Russian trucks doing it surely its viable for them now & given the permit situation I’d have thought they would have been, I’ve been out of The UK for quite a while now but when I was last on the road in 2011 I don’t recall seeing a Soviet truck & in fact have’nt seen one in years as far as I remember.
Anyway I’m thinking You stick with what Your doing & leave this trucking lark to them who don’t know any better, its good to have some up to date info too even though even if the post was a bit tongue in cheek to begin with.
I’ll send You a PM with who My forwarder mate is too, in case You fall out with Your one.
Regards
Fly sheet