Valera,
Answering your first question: I don't think anyone would go through the trouble of obtaining a work visa for a controls person, unless, of course, there is some manager who knows you personally. Yes, there is a lot of people from abroad, including Russia, who work in the States by invitation from american businesses, but those are usually scientists, high-end programmers and the like, i.e. people with unique experience and training. Engineers and maintenance professionals usually don't fall into that category.
If you find a way to enter the United States in some other legal way, you definitely may try your luck, but you will be on your own. As far as I know, the general opinion about the level of knowledge and the abilities of Russian professionals is quite good. As a matter of fact, hardly anyone would ever ask you to show your engineering or technical diploma (if you have one); a few technical questions during an interview will show who you are and what you know. Of course, an ability to communicate in English (even with a heavy accent) is an important asset - no one would be willing to hire a person he cannot communicate with - even less to put him to potentially dangerous job.
An important thing to know that the job market in the controls field has been quite bad in the last couple of years. We just keep our fingers crossed and waiting for it to improve. There is a little bit more controls people on unemployment now that we all would like to see...
All above is just my personal opinion - I could be wrong...
