International Imessege question

i tried send imessege friend of mine in russia, , far know he's running ios5 on iphone 4 or 4s. reason when sent phone number sent regular text though have "send text" disabled... , when sent me messenge via email sent fine on imessege.

know wtf happening? thanks!

 

have tried sending email address , making sure caller id set email address?
basically, try eliminate phone number together, think.
try, not sure if it'll work though.

 

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