Yes there were quite a few. I would trace the German colonisation of Russia to one German princess from Stettin, one Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg. Catherine the Great signed a manifesto on 1763 inviting foreigners to settle in her country. A German national herself, Catherine's decree marked the beginning of the history of Russian-Germans. They settled on Volga River to begin with. Have a look here: http://www.dw.com/en/catherine-the-great-and-the-russian-germans/a-16965100 I hope that begins to answer your question.