I think there is something uniquely and fundamentally wrong with the Russian character. Their history of oppressive wars, their adoption of communism and from that when they had a chance for freedom they choose Kleptocracy.
Writers from the old days have spoke about their penchant for doom and suffering (Checkhov is an example). Some say it’s a genetic “gift” from the Mongols.
The kleptocracy happened after the U.S. installed a drunken Boris Yeltsin in the Kremlin who allowed the country to be looted from both inside and out.
The Russians have never forgiven us for doing that.