Every time I see one of Terryo's box turtle or redfoot aquariums I wonder how on earth she keeps them like that. I make nicely planted habitats and, like you, within a day, it's all messed up.
Yes, Russian hatchlings love to dig. It seems like every morning when I get ready to soak all the hatchlings there is one or two that are buried and make me dig up enclosures looking for them. I think they do it on purpose - LOL.