Wales were on the front foot from ther start, taking the lead just 11 minutes in as Gareth Bale played in a long ball from deep which Aaron Ramsey expertly controlled and slotted past the Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev to give his side the lead.
And just nine minutes later the advantage was doubled through defender Neil Taylor, who initially shot the defence-splitting pass straight at Akinfeev who saved, before tucking the rebound home for his first-ever international goal.
Despite the two-goal cushion, Wales continued to press, Joe Allen pulling the strings in midfield as the Welsh laid siege on the Russian goal, yet could not add to their 2-0 lead at the half-time whistle.