What I'm saying is that I doubt the Russians like the fact that Finns cross the border, stop in a border zone to purchase cheap Russian benzin, and then drive back. I suspect that to discourage that practice, they will raise various issues, including the types of visa. As far as I can tell, nothing in your post contradicts that?

Very true, but there have been basically zero cases reported here of people having trouble crossing a border with a business visa, other than the ones you've raised, so instances should be viewed in context. I've read a lot of reports about visa problems, but almost always in connection with people that come here to work in some capacity, or people engaged in politically-sensitive projects.

For instance, I recall an issue where some Americans were thrown out because they were holding some kind of seminar on democracy-building and they were accused of having the wrong kind of visa (business instead of cultural, or vice-versa). Same with a lot of foreign people who were working here as English teachers although they only had tourist visas--they were also deported. As a more recent example, I've heard that Turks are currently having all kinds of problems entering the country, regardless of what kind of visa they have.

OK, that seems to be a valid data point, but still it is one out of hundreds of other instances where people have had no problems. I also note that other issues could be at play--for instance, who issued the invitation letter for the business visa, how the application was filled out, etc.

If other HUBBers have had problem with business (or other visas), it would be interesting to hear from them.