Well, I wouldn't worry about 2 and 3 that much. It's just that as a foreigner, especially if you are from the US, you will most definitely fall under the surveillance of FSB and the cops will look at you twice, but they're not paid half-decent enough to actually give a shit and do their job properly. They might harass you here and there but if you don't do anything stupid like protesting in red square or doing selfies in front of military bases, then they'll have nothing against you. I imagine that's not that much worse than living in the US under CIA's umbrella and trigger happy cops. Other than that, it's not nearly an extreme hellhole like NK, Afghanistan or Syria that people make it sound like. In fact, you can get by in Moscow or St. Petersburg without a guide or translator just fine. I'd rather advise to watch out for the tourist traps(the usual), and to avoid getting out of the city limits and into the suburbs because of the much increased crime levels.

Ah, and put the fact that for every dollar you spend there, you put 20 cents straight into Putin's pocket into that list...

And also that you'd probably need a visa and it's a hassle...

And that you'd probably need a Russian friend to get you hooked up with the basics and avoid going through the bureaucracy - like with currency exchange, credit card, carrier plan, etc...

Also that weather is rather harsh there...

And also that it's probably the dirtiest country on earth because city planners didn't zone out lawns and parks properly therefore the mud gets spread absolutely everywhere...

And that internet is half-broken, with half sites censored while the others block everyone from Russian IP's because sanctions...

And that Ukraine might not let you in afterwards...

And that you'd for sure be questioned by your homecountry's intelligence services...

And that's about all that I can think of.