Earlier quoted context omitted.
Come on, there is no way they are that cartoonish.
As in illustration, I'll relay you an actual story that I read from one Russian blogger (who witnessed it himself and I trust him that he did): The scene is a couchette car in an overnight train between two Russian cities (a very popular mode of transport in Russia). It's late at night, so most people are preparing to sleep or sleeping already, so it is pretty quiet. Except for the two slightly drunk guys in one end…
The scene is a guy whose knowledge of anything outside his country is lacking. A relatively common occurrence around where he's from.
After being bombarded with all kinds of propaganda for decades he'd easily believe almost anything on the topic. Especially after several months of extreme 24/7 antagonism due to a horrible war.
That's how culture works. Supposedly