Speaking from experience, if you go through a reputable agency, it is VERY difficult to adopt from Russia. Korea (a non-caucasian country) is much easier -- no travel involved, the child can be escorted here.
My husband and I had to travel to Russia, endure examinations of our entire lives and relationships and those of our relatives, etc., before we could bring our daughter home.
We went to Russia because that's where our daughter was.
We were NOT told the entire truth about her because the lives of these children are unimaginably sad and because the authorities there have an entirely different viewpoint on children in orphanages than we do here.
And maybe the people who choose to adopt white children do so not because of themselves, but because of the communities and families they live in.
But that's just my point. You went through a reputable agency and had a difficult time. But the said truth is, a stark raving lunatic can go to an adoption broker and essentially buy a Russian child.
Korea actually has very strict requirements - there are age, marital and weight requirements. You're right that if you meet the criteria, the process in just about any other country is much smoother. In Russia, the process is largely unregulated. There aren't laws protecting abandoned children.
And maybe the people who choose to adopt white children do so not because of themselves, but because of the communities and families they live in.
I went out of my way not to offend decent adoptive parents in my post. I myself am an adoptive parent - two of my children are from Viet Nam. My children are now grown and several of them have already adopted and are currently in the process of adopting internationally again. If you're looking to be offended by what I've posted, go ahead.