Now this is completely puzzling.
When my father learnt I was getting a Russian Visa, he asked me
Why? You have a british passport
He went to Moscow in 1999 without a visa. I saw his passport. There are 4 stamps because he went there twice. But no VISA!! That means he did not need an invitation at all. He just had an hotel booked.
Can someone explain me this? My father has no idea. Is it because Russian citizens don't need a visa to go to the UK?