re: The USSR sent several landers to Mars that were pretty much unsterilized...
My book on Soviet mars probes has disappeared somewhere when I moved offices. But I did find a reference to the fact that from the earliest lunar missions sterilization procedures were in place. What these were nobody seems to say. How effective any of the procedures are is another story. No spacecraft is completely sterile, although one can certainly try.
I think your leg was being pulled about the vodka. Typical Russian humour. The fun part about it is that westerners then take it seriously.
Cheers
Jon