Ok, the other day I was told that obviously the Russians can't steal a Tech and Research one on the same turn because when they steal a tech it's classed as Research and you can only Research one tech a turn.

This to me sound wrong, any thoughts?

They can do both each turn.

We played that they could do both.

Doc, the Weasel said:

I agree, the stealing occurs during the movement phase and if they have any trade left over during the research phase, they can learn tech there. Put it this way. The beginning of the game, the Russians cannot build any buildings, nor can they build any wonders since they can only obtain 9 build symbols in the beginning that includes cashing in on trade. By the second turn, if they can get a sout on double build symbol, then they can build a wonder, but by then they should have their 2nd tech researched to build something on the 3rd turn. At this time their army still hasn't reached another civilization yet to steal their tech.

What makes the Russians the most powerful would be the hanging gardens early on and building free figures until someone negates their Wonder.