now it's just a question of exterminating the vermin.
they have tried for 10 years
You're correct that they have been trying for 10 years, but one has to remember the Russian economy was in a shambles during the 90's. They had great difficulty in making the adjustment from a centrally planned system to a more free market model. Their economy seems to be turning around and is now growing at around 8% per annum. Also, one is seeing more and more articles about how they are once again upgrading their military capabilities.
I would bet that with a recovering economy and military, a new enemy to rally nationalistic identity and a leader like Putin things will begin to change.