I know a few Russians.
A vast minority of them are a bit backwards, but mostly as it relates to their school education.
And when I say backwards, I don't mean dumb. They are VERY smart and put together. They are great to do business with. Straight forward and pragmatic.
Some of the men are lazy drunks, but hey, sounds like a giant part of the rest of the world.
One of my Russian friends says of Russia and Putin (paraphrasing, plus it helps if you read it in a Russian accent).
"Putin OK.
Remember Russia is young country. Barely through 1 generations.
Second President better than first. Third President, we hope, better than second.
This is the way we are heading. It's positive. It's not perfect."