The Russian home power seemed very powerful to us. It was admittedly our first game (4 player) but the ability to steal techs led to a fairly easy tech victory. How do people fight against this?

Does the coin collected from Code of Laws apply to a successful battle against a village? we assumed yes.

Can you blockade military combat bonuses? i.e. does an enemy unit in a barracks or on a famous general cancel the combat bonus?

thanks, we all enjoyed the game. Played in around 5 hours.

Well the simplest plan to stopping the Russians stealing your tech is to pound their armies into the ground. If they can't get into your city that can't steal your tech.

Set the Germans on them or something.

dont tech what they can steal is also a valid option

For your other questions:

2. Yes, villages count (huts wouldn't, though).

3. Yes, military bonuses can be blockaded. They cannot be harvested by a scout, though. Only blocked.