I may have to travel to the former Soviet Union several times per year for work, specifically to Moscow, Tyumin, and Kiev. How likely am I to die (or be severely injured by) plane crash, criminal action, disease, traffic accident, adulterated vodka, or other. My potential future coworkers assure me it is completely safe, but they are likely biased by their desire to get some fresh meat to share the workload. Thanks.
Your friends are right. Its fine.
If anything, you are probably more likely to get killed in a car accident than anything else on your list. Russians are lousy drivers and the roads can make it even more hazardous. But it no more likely than your odds of getting killed in an accident here.
Wouldn’t worry too much about plane crashes. While Russian airlines probably aren’t the global vanguard of air safety, you’ll be fine. I would just avoid ordering your pilot to land in bad weather.
If you are worried about adulterated vodka, then make sure you buy it in a proper store rather than from some random person in the market. Your colleagues should be smart enough to do the former rather than the latter. If they aren’t then don’t drink with them.
Crime? You’re in a big city, take precautions like you would in Chicago or New York. Don’t use unlicensed cabs. Don’t flash cash around. Don’t get too hammered if you are out alone. Register at the embassy and safeguard your passport.
Disease. Are you thinking about getting anything in particular? I am not a big fan of the tap water. Bottled water is easy to find. Wash your hands after using the facilities. The worst you might come away with is a mild case of food poisoning, but your chances aren’t much worse than eating at your local Wendy’s. Some of my American friends would get a bit of an upset stomach after eating in the cafeterias or bottom grade restaurants, but I think it was more of having a weak stomach.
Oh and if your friends are idiots and teach you Russian swear words, don’t use them. A lot of the words and phrases may have a slightly stronger meaning that the English equivalent. You don’t want to insult the wrong person in a bar.
Enjoy it. Its a lot of fun. Go see Dead Lenin. Eventually, the Russians will bury that clown, so take advantage while you are there. When in Moscow, grab a bite at Guria.
I used to live in Moscow in the wild 90s and never had a problem. It’s a big city, on a par with NYC and you should treat it as such. Kyiv is beautiful, especially in the spring. I’ve never been to Tyumen.
I travel to Moscow a couple of times a year and have never had a problem
I’ve been to Moscow many times and I concur with those above. Always remember that you are in a very large city, bigger than NYC, and take the appropriate precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
Driving - You’ll probably have a hard time finding a “licensed” taxi like a Yellow Cab in NYC. People are not kidding about Russian’s being bad drivers. It is a cultural thing where the laws of the road are more vague suggestions. I’ve seen Russian’s stuck in traffic on a multi-lane freeway go left of center and drive in the on-coming traffic lane. It is crazy. There are trains and a Metro by the way. Some of the Metro stations are amazing, built at the direction of Stalin, and simply beautiful especially for those familiar with NYC subway stations.
Planes - If you are flying from the US you’ll probably be on a US carrier. Delta has a daily direct out of JFK to Moscow. I have also flown on Aeroflot (from NYC, incredibly nice service and flight) to Moscow. I have also flown out of Russia to other destinations on some Russian airlines/charters that left me terrified.
Drinking - I imagine cultural perceptions of American’s are changing but I found it funny anytime I was introduced to new people in a social setting involving alcohol I was always offered a drink. There would be great curiousity as I took my drink to see if I “drink like an American or a Russian”! Unless you are the DD, it is considered a bit rude to say ‘no’ to the drink. In short, start now with getting acclimated to the taste of straight vodka and being able to do a shot of it like a good Russian! Oh, and at social dinners they like to give toasts…long toasts. Unless you speak the language you won’t know what they are saying. Just be aware of others and take your queue to drink when they do. Don’t assume the toast is over and rush to drink your vodka cause it will probably go on… and on… and on. 
People - Honestly, they can be infuriating in their stubborness. Moscow is a bit less refined than St. Petersburg and proud of it. Haha. That said, they are some of the most amazingly friendly and welcoming people if they like you. None of my visits were for business so there may be a different dynamic there but on a personal level everyone I met were great hosts and incredibly warm/giving.
Language - Just learn some very basics. Please, thank you, you’re welcome, etc. As mentioned above with swear words, greetings can also be very tricky as there are many different ways to say a simple “Hello” based upon the person you are greetings status/standing.
Enjoy your time in Moscow, it really is a beautiful city in its own unique way.
MeanJoe
Even in the crazy 90s, Moscow was still safer than Washington or Philadelphia. Note that things are a bit different if you’re black.
I’ve walked around Moscow late at night, and I felt very safe. The worst thing that happened to me there was passing out from too much vodka. Crossing some of the wide roads can be a pain, so use the underground pathways to cross them, even if you have to walk well out of your way to reach them.
You will be perfectly safe.