Russa Nodrey was a female nomadic squirrel who lived in Mossflower Woods. Russa was given the surname "Nodrey" due to her lack of a drey, or home. Her only weapon was a long wooden stick, and her usual apparel consisted of a green tunic with a pouch sewn into the back to hold various objects. Russa's attitude towards vermin was that it was necessary to kill them before they killed others.
Russa often visited Camp Tussock, and on one such occasion was requested to escort Tammo to meet up with the Long Patrol. Although at first reluctant, she was persuaded by the offer of Mem Divinia's pancakes.
Eventually Russa and Tammo found the Long Patrol, led by Major Perigord Habile Sinistra, who were on the way to Redwall Abbey to warn the residents about the Rapscallion army. Russa accompanied them, hoping to visit Abbess Tansy and enjoy the Redwall food. However, they were ambushed by foes in the midst of an attack on a defenseless badger infant and its older guardian. Russa died defending the pair. The badger was named Russano in her honor, and he would later fight enemies using her stick as his weapon of choice.
Russa never liked performing in public, though she did write a tune called "The Song of the Stick" which she sang in front of a group of Long Patrol hares while performing tricks to spare Tammo from embarrassment.