The Russian bitcoin ban is a joke. Almost everyone is using it, and the state authorities are not able to do anything to prevent it. The Russians are very innovative. When one process is blocked, they would just discover another one. Ever since 2010, Russia is having one of the largest Bitcoiner populations in the world. No government ban will be able to stunt its growth.
Yeah agreed these announcements about banning and lifting ban really have just symbolic importance.The ground realities are quite different as you mentioned there are still large number of people using hurdle free Bitcoin.Russians and Bitcoin are necessary to each other.Any way we should take this news as positive.