SP-B: Great Success!

...Latest hurdle overcome. Previous concerns about my passport entering a black hole were unfounded, and I received my approved Russian Visa this afternoon.

Fun Fact: Russia and Kazakhstan were both part of the former Soviet Union!

Remaining steps that must be completed, lest I am ordered to pay steep fines or be classified as "deported" upon entering and/or exiting the Russian Federation:

1. Purchase return ticket to/from St. Petersburg (travelers must present proof of onward and/or return travel)
   
2. Complete "Migration Card" at passport control (submit half to border officials, retain other half for duration of stay)
   
3. Register my visa (upon arriving at my destination)
   
4. Return "Migration Card" upon exiting the country

And remember:

"...cops stop people on the streets sometimes to check if they have a registration or not (even ordinary Russians are stopped sometimes too, so everybody carries his passport - that's the only legal id we have in Russia, driving licences or id cards don't count).

There's nothing horrible or frightening in being stopped, it's normal. Some cops will care if you don't have a registration, some won't. If a cop stops you to check your documents and you don't have a registration, he has a right (according to the Russian law) to take you to police station and to fine you."

I very excite!