I got the PM, and definitely a cool idea there SeniorCitizen. As for the Russians, remember that they are a Japanese neutral in the Empire Waters area, and an Ally of the US and Great Britain... they will count negatively against your renown score...
You will however see them at times (hopefully mostly winter months) come out of the Korean Strait or the Tsugaru Strait when La Pérouse Strait freezes over.