>>He survived the fall with no recollection of how it happened.

Sounds like the elevator pitch for a dark comedy about Russia - or maybe a spy movie.
That said, speaking of the typical Russian diet, what is it about pinecones? Pine nuts are great in pesto - but I mean actual cones. I've seen photos of jarred pinecones as a Russian supermarket thing but have never had one in my hands - or tried it. Any good? not quite as bad as I'd imagine? Or is it not Muskovian but some other part of the RF like Yakutia?