Reagan was fighting the Soviets, not Russia. Between the Bushes, Clinton and Obumbler they along with the Russians destroyed Reagans Cold War victory.
We did not have to be in conflict with the Russians. Had we and the Russians been wise this wouldn’t be a blip on the radar and we would be focusing on the real dangers of the world China and Iran.
Reagan knew he was fighting Russia, he knew whose empire it was and he was trying to free Russia’s subjects, which he did, and they don’t want to fall under Russia again.