The application is written in a typically Russian style as if it was dictated to Snowden word by word)). Even the date format is typically Russian, not American. Such applications, written in Russian, on blank sheets of paper are dime a dozen here. But Snowden or whoever dictated him the text missed to enumerate the reasons for his request. So, I’m afraid, the plea can be easily rejected on formal grounds by some anonymous clerk of the Russian Migration Service.

4. he is very attentive to detail, but tends to be a selective listener.
I'm unsuccessfully racking my mind what qualities of Snowden's handwriting could characterize his as a selective listener as well as his attentiveness to details. Could you unveil the mistery?