So here's my ridiculously complicated story.

I'm a 23-year-old kid living in America who left Russia in January 1992 right after the collapse of communism. I traveled back to Russia once before to visit family. My father made the travel arrangements, so I don't know what he did.

As far as I know, getting a Russian visa is difficult enough already, but it's even more difficult for former Russian citizens. Or Russian citizens who never renounced their citizenship but have foreign citizenship now and permanently live in the West.

I want to visit my grandparents sometime soon, as they are rather elderly. However, to get a Russian visa, the agency asks me for a "certificate of renunciation" or whatever. I was 4 years old when I left....I don't have such a thing. Neither do my parents, since they didn't formally renunciate.

I can probably get a Russian passport, however, I do not want this to get me involved with the Russian Army. Military service of any sort is best avoided for me.

My question is: is there an agency that specializes in Russia visas for people born in Russia that want to avoid gettin a Russian passport for a while (avoid harassment and questions for Army service, even though I've only lived in the Russian Federation for 3 weeks).

If anyone has any advice, it would be GREATLY appreciated. And if you need clarification, feel free to ask. Thank you!