I've been to Russia enough over this past year (3 times to OVB and a 4th time coming up in October), that I've been considering getting a multi-entry business visa good for one year. I actually have a side business that I could claim was the need for my business visa, but I actually wouldn't be doing business. The reasons I'm thinking about it:

1. Paying a minimum of $130 each time I want a toursit visa and jumping through all of the hoops.

2. I've been warned by people who have been to Russia a lot that if I apply for too many tourist visas to the same city, I risk getting denied. (I've been visiting my girlfriend and I've been told that if the Russian authorities get suspicious about me seeing someone personal, they'll make me get a private-visit visa.

The company that provides me my invitation letters (waytorussia) says that they can also assist me in getting a business visa, but I'm just not sure if it's worth it. I'm looking for advice from frequent Russian travelers.