To alter the Russian loading screen - you must convert ls800russia.shp to .pcx via XCC mixer (.pcx can be read by most art related software).
The loading screens are one layer templates meaning you cannot replace the Tesla Tank with, say, the Desolater, because the Tesla Tank is already pre-set to the loading image, instead you must blanket over the old unrequired section with whatever replacement image you wish, heres an example:
Say you wanted to give the illusion of a new country.
You would need to cut-out something like the above, remove all colours (except green) and fill in whichever appropriate areas of land and placing over the old image, like this case, China:
Although what your asking for can be more tedious, depending on how much detail you intend to go to, and limitations of that countrys loading palette.
I suggest you experiment, as you will see some colours just aren't 'agreeable' with the loading templates.
For instance in my Switzerland image, I chose currency for a special because the French loading screen palette (I'm replacing France) doesn't support gold or similar based colours, at first the coins
were gold, but it automatically chose the closest thing, if you want a flexible, 'agreeable' loading screen, edit Cuba.
Anyway I'm sure I've rambled enough, I'm not the best at explaining so please feel free to ask any questions.
*edit* I was already typing a reply before Infraid had replyed, so if his link covered your question, ignore my post.
Oh, and don't forget to palette your new masterpiece with mplsr.pal (which is the Russian equivalent palette).[/b]