Would have loved to have gone, and the Visa difficulty wouldn't have put me off on its own, but the hassle with my work did, and there simply wasn't enough time to get the security side sorted from work, before I could then apply for the visa to go to Moscow, there was no point applying for the visa if my work might turn my request to visit Moscow down anyway.
I also don't understand why some countries make a short visit so difficult, and relatively expensive, why not add a bit to the flight or hotel price, and include a Visa in one or the other ?