Need info about Russia

[Mikhal]

Myself I wont start playing M2 before the summer holidays as that's the only time I can totally devote myself to it (at least I will get a bit patched up version by that time). Anyway I have some questions about the Russians as they are my faction that I will always play with.

- Is it true that these cool plate armored troops are Russians? on this video, the ones with metal masks: [URL=http://games.softpedia.com/progDownload/Medieval-II-Total-War-Russia-Faction-Movie-Download-11996.html[/URL]

- What's the flag like? is it the one with a yellow eagle on black background?

- They do have awesome shock cavalry right?

Feel free to share any other thoughts about Russia, but please, try to not spoil anything.