keep my mouth shut and just be a tourist. Also, my gut tells me to leave my smartphone at home and not take any pictures
I think you are way too paranoid. I believe I have a ton more incriminating material on my phone, if we're talking about worrying what the FSB will think. Even though I suffer no illusions re: the nature of my government, my first conversation with the boys would always begin with: "Go **** yourself and your moms. I will wait for my lawyer." Given that you are an American you have nothing to worry about at all. Then remember that you are an American that likes us, and I think absence or problems is guaranteed.
No need to keep your mouth shut. It's not 1937, or 1953. Just don't announce any public marches against Putin's politics or mobilization. Don't walk around with a loudspeaker declaring love for Zelensky. You can discuss anything, with anyone you want. Even an FSB agent working in domestic counterintelligence. Being American gives you the ultimate immunity. We actually really need Americans that are visiting to leave with good impressions.
Basically. Be yourself. Enjoy Russia. Write a review on PF.
that you speak Polish. Can you expand on this?
I did many times. I am too embarrassed to try speaking, but I can understand spoken. I can read. I can't write.
Learned/learning it after picking up Ukrainian.