10-year old son visiting NATURALISED political refugee in UK

Hi,

There is a divorced political refugee (the "Guy") who naturalised in the UK after fleeing Russia some 7 years ago.

He has a son (8 years young) in Moscow who he only sees when the mother (whom he divorced) with the son get a visitor visa to the UK (once so far).

Now, there is no way the Guy will be going back to Russia for the fear of being persecuted. If the son gets a visa refused to visit his dad in the UK:

1) what are the chances of appealing on the basis of Article 8 family life rhetoric, as there would be no OTHER way to see each other;

2) the boy is written into the mother's passport so cannot really travel ALONE. Does this affect anything, i.e. mother's documents unacceptable etc.;

3) Is there any way the boy can get an Indefinite Leave to Enter or an equivalent which would allow him to see his dad without applying for visas on regular basis;

Just to note, at the moment the mother is looking after the child- school, accommodation, other associated expenses etc. the father had transferred around £25,000 in the last 3 years in total for the benefit of the child, but the mother is looking after the kid.

Any practical advice would be appreciated.