Thanks for the reply- anybody else who can advise anything are welcome to do so. As it stands it seems my options are only really to wait 6 months after trips in Europe whenever possible, and then re-apply for the Visitor Visa, in hope that will be ok. Failing that, will look into marriage in Moscow...

Dear all, Thanks for this incredibly kind and helpful community. Simon- many congratulations! I hope your wife is enjoying life here and you are both having a great start to married life. Is she able to go back to Russia for months at a time (as I've read in VISA conditions we are both to settle her...