A stubborn Russian effort made life tough for the hosts but a late push, including two tries from Keddie in the final 10 minutes, sealed a crucial victory.

T Rhys Thomas and Rhys Buckley also crossed for the hosts with Denis Simplikevich and Igor Kurashov going over for the visitors.

Dorian Jones kicked the Dragons into a fourth minute lead, but the Russians were proving to be stubborn opposition.

Yury Kushnarev saw a penalty attempt land way short in what proved to be their only shot at goal of the half.

The Dragons were seemingly struggling up front, but fortuitously found the game's first try.

Hooker Thomas was on the end of a hard-hitting rolling maul to bruise over, with fly-half Jones – son of head coach Kingsley – adding the extras from out wide.

And 10 minutes later, Jones was on hand to knock over a simple penalty in front of the posts.

But Enisei could count themselves unlucky after persistent pressure went without reward, wing Simplikevich going close with a battling effort in the corner.

The Russians again came knocking in the early minutes of the second half, but lacked the killer instinct needed to penetrate the inspired Gwent wall.

But Mikheil Gachechiliadze found a moment of class to loop the ball to Simplikevich who was able to crash his way over in the corner. Kushnarev’s conversion boomed off the uprights, however, as the visitors trailed by eight.

The outside-half was struggling with the boot as another penalty landed short, and that seemed to kick the Dragons into life.

Buckley crossed from the back of another punishing drive with Angus O’Brien on hand for the conversion.

And it got better nine minutes from time when Keddie went over at the posts as the Dragons pushed for the crucial bonus point.

But with the visitors tiring, Keddie blitzed his way over for the fourth before Kurashov slid over in the corner for a late consolation for the battling Russians.