Have read on polishblog.forum - that the Russian Air Traffic Controllers ignored 'protocol' by speaking Russian and not English. Don't know the situation here per 'who' was in charge; nor their language skills; but again; many questions. Certainly; given the 'who' on this plane; it should have been a 'high priority' insuring a safe arrival.
.....High Priority....in Russia is very different than it is here...again one has to consider the culture and mindset as well as how words are understood in Russia. They don’t have a severe problem with alcohol for nothing there.