This guy brings it together -
https://www.amazon.com/Natashas-Dance-Cultural-History-Russia/dp/0312421958
TLDR version - Russians can be brilliant while consistently being huge PITBs. Especially to each other.
In modern times (post 1960’s-1970’s?) however the creative “spark” seems to be gone.
I didn’t much follow Russian dance/ballet, but no doubt there’s a strong correlation to the orchestral era. Surely Tchaikovsky would be indicative of the dance era given the related commissions.