Meh, I totally understand why a lot of people would say that. Based on the government and Putin. My interest there is the rural countrysides. I could hide in my own frozen world ice fishing and hunting so I could deal with it. Plus I have a fascination with Russian and Slavic peasant culture.
Actually, that's a very sad story. You'd think a teacher would have enough sense to plan out these things properly. I wonder how he managed his lesson plans.
I would love to visit there anyway...so if I have to go somewhere I can kill to birds with one stone. To see all the historical and religious sites there along with the beautiful lands. My second thought was Canada but it's colder up there and Mex....I don't speak the language.
I have talked to some who have went and they say it not as dangerous as the news etc make it sound. Main thing is to stay in the good parts....just like in US, you don't go to E St Louis or S Chicago etc.
Visiting might be a nice treat for you but, have you ever spoken to an Israeli? If so, and you don't hold their pompous attitude in disdain, you haven't met a true Israeli. You couldn't pay me enough to live in Israel among those people, much less visit it.