Yes, he can afford a car and a house, especially since most of these scientists do not live in Moscow and live in places where the salaries are much lower and so is the cost of living. Ford produces $8,000 Focuses in Russia and financing is available. There are a bunch of local and other foreign manufacturers in Russia too.
Nobody buys houses in Russia they purchase flats. They cost around 30 to 75 grand cash. Precious few sell on credit in Russia, although it's becoming popular (albeit with payments like 1000+ per month).
Most of my Russian freinds have cars, apartments are like 8 bucks a month to rent for Russians. All my Russian freinds have computers also.
I have never heard of a 'bread subsidy'. It's all baked loafs, you can only get sliced bread in supermarkets, most people have unsliced bread and slice it themselves. It's good stuff, although it's a pain to cut.
It cost me 50 bucks including tip and 3 rounds of alcohol (at least 2 bottles worth of vodka) for my birthday party in Russia with 6 of my freinds, appetizers, and meal, desert. We went all out and it would cost at least 100 for two people in our state capital (this was the capital of the republic I was in at the time).