Do people still play this?

[Prowny]

it's rarely raiders that chase players away, it's usually the boredom of being locked in walls all of the time.

I disagree. In my experience it's always been raiders attacking newbie camps what makes them quit, which is why you can see corpses in most of them.

[ChildhoodObesity]

if they quit they are weak af

[sirhotalot]

I'm being told the Russians have pretty much taken over the server and any time somebody tries to make a settlement and gather new players one of them gives the information to the Russians who then invade and destroy everything. I've seen this happen about a dozen times now, and most settlements I run into in game are completely abandoned.

You've been grossly misinformed. Settlements are mostly abandoned because people play at different times than you, quit playing for any myriad of reasons, or decided to seek better quality resources elsewhere. Nothing keeps you tied to a spot and it's rarely raiders that chase players away, it's usually the boredom of being locked in walls all of the time.

Are there even any major Russian raiding factions at this point?

You misunderstood me. I mean I've seen it happen in real time to people playing in groups.

[Karede]

When was this?

[TeckXKnight]

Sounds like you consistently have a spy who plays in your group then. I know that happened to the goons where AD paid to get into their private forums. But no, I can say with absolute certainty that Russians have not taken over the game.