I’m not surprised given the time.
With the joint US-USSR space mission everything was being presented from both sides as “a step forward” with both countries, the Russians were being shown a good time when they were here.
The Russians then went on the march under Peanuts Carter, until Reagan put them in their place in the 80’s. Not a good time to be a Russian.
BTW, thanks for the funny story. Stuff’s so grim lately I can’t remember the last time I laughed :(
I bet those snipers are still telling their side of the story!