ok, on the spur of the moment, here are some points that have left a lasting (Russian) impression on my soul and memory...
[and if you find those to be feeble, ridiculous and inadequate you are probably right]

i like about Russia: (that is now besides many other things and in no logical order)

* Lomonosov proving Robert Boyle wrong (long before we knew all about matter and atoms)

* Onegin's refusal to take advantage of a young, innocent and loving Tatyana

* Kutuzov's resolute defence at Borodino, but in particular of the Raevsky redoubt

* The uncompromising and intellectual (besides brutal) style of advancing an ideology as so tragically described by Wolfgang Leonards "Die Revolution entlaesst ihre Kinder"

* Lev Yashin's goal keeping heroics

* Gregori Perelman solving the century old 'Poincare conjecture' but refusing to pick up the 1 Mio US$ price

* 'Я спросил у Ясеня, где мая любимая...' just because someone (Russian) i liked played me that song...

* Anna Akhmatova's account of the siege of Leningrad

* "So weit die Fuesse tragen" (as far as my feet carry me) - telling of the huge sacrifieces and efforts people make to endure and overcome hardship (that guy walked from Magadan to Iran)

* Pierre Bezukhov's courageous take on life and careless duel with Dolokov all in the name of defending a betraying Princess Helene...