After trying multiple Civs I must say I think the Russians are my personal favorite for Start/Midgame. Being Expansionary allows you to uncover a large portion of the map while picking up numerous "goody" huts along the way plus it allows you to get a better idea of how to shape your empire. Its great pumping out two scouts (for a total of three) and letting them scour the countryside for all huts. Chances are you are going to pick up at least one or two settlers along the way plus alot of valuable Technology. Maybe even a warrior or two.
All that technology your Scouts get from the huts are going to be invaluable when coupled with your Scientific traits. I'm playing a game with 15 Civs right now and each turn Im bringing in +500 gold from PerTurn Gold I've gotten in exchange for my Techs. This allows me to have 80% in Tech and 20% in Luxury which helps battle War Weariness in my multiple wars. As soon as you discover Gun Powder and Military Tradition you can start building Cossacks and then things really get interesting.
I had just discovered Nationalism and gained access to some SaltPepper which was when I noticed I could start building Cossacks. The English and the Chinese were getting a little too close for comfort, setting up new cities in the most ridiculous places and I had had enough. I changed my production to Mobilization and just start pumping out the Cossaks. In about 5 turns I had 30 Cossacks heading for the two fronts. The high speed at which I was producing them due to Mobilization and the fact they are so powerful [6/4/3] allowed me to just roll over both the Chinese and the English in record time. Granted Im only playing on Prince mode but I was happily surprised just the same. Now Im looking for my next Civ to conquer as I now have 50+ Cossacks roaming my Empire.
In conclusion, I feel the Expansionary/Scientific combination plus the addition of the Cossack unit make Russia they best Civ I have ever used. Definately worth trying out for yourself.
All that technology your Scouts get from the huts are going to be invaluable when coupled with your Scientific traits. I'm playing a game with 15 Civs right now and each turn Im bringing in +500 gold from PerTurn Gold I've gotten in exchange for my Techs. This allows me to have 80% in Tech and 20% in Luxury which helps battle War Weariness in my multiple wars. As soon as you discover Gun Powder and Military Tradition you can start building Cossacks and then things really get interesting.
I had just discovered Nationalism and gained access to some SaltPepper which was when I noticed I could start building Cossacks. The English and the Chinese were getting a little too close for comfort, setting up new cities in the most ridiculous places and I had had enough. I changed my production to Mobilization and just start pumping out the Cossaks. In about 5 turns I had 30 Cossacks heading for the two fronts. The high speed at which I was producing them due to Mobilization and the fact they are so powerful [6/4/3] allowed me to just roll over both the Chinese and the English in record time. Granted Im only playing on Prince mode but I was happily surprised just the same. Now Im looking for my next Civ to conquer as I now have 50+ Cossacks roaming my Empire.
In conclusion, I feel the Expansionary/Scientific combination plus the addition of the Cossack unit make Russia they best Civ I have ever used. Definately worth trying out for yourself.
And I think the all civs should have ONE UU in EACH eras! In this case cossacks can be good unit in Middle Ages, but in Modern ages Russians MIGs can be fighting vs F-15. 
