IMO, the game balancing in eastern europe is flawed.
In the first medieval, CA made Poland a rather weak faction. It seems taht this time around, they wanted to beef them up somewhat and successfuly accopmlished that. However, they did not take into account the Russians (and the fact that Poland and Russia are the major players in the game's eastern regions untill the Mongols arrive) and did not make the Russians as strong as the poles. In every campaign, Poland (because of its unrealistically strong position = 2 starting provinces to the russians' 1) steamrolls the rebels to its east and continues to capture Kiev, the Crimea and Kazar every time. This would be most certainly OK of it happened occasionally, but not EVERY TIME. Kievan Rus (or any other Rus for that matter) was never weak enough for the Poles to just walk over them, besides the Poles had more pressing concerns in the west and weren't interested in eastwards expansion until after M2. Lars, lets assume you're right and the Russians in M2 are all the people of the Rus culture - would it not make sense to shift the starting postion somewhat then - say Kiev (which was the major administrative, military and cultural centre at the game's start).

Unit wise, I also feel the Russians have been neglected somewhat. Poland and Hungary get a much better selection of more powerful cavalry - fine IF the spear infantry can realistically hold up against them. As the OP mentions, the Russian militia spearmen don't even have a lsight anti-cavalry bonus! That is neither historically accurate or good well balanced!

Generally, the feeling I get from the game is that the Russians are portrayed as weaker than Poland, Hungary and Denmark. In every campaign, Poland becomes a super power that is equal to or greater in strength than Russia - this is simply not true! (like I said, I don't mind if that happens once in a while, but not EVERY time).

pheew, I think I'll stop ranting for a minute now. I stand by the above, but having said that, this is still a great game and immensely enjoyable - well done CA, despite the Russians its still a good game!