Russia's socialist days are long behind it now, for better or worse.

However, curiously, at least over here (Finland), the old Communist sympathizers seem to still be friends of Russia. Or vice versa: if someone is uncritically repeating Russian propaganda (re Ukraine, Donbass etc) then if he's standing in the election he's most likely with one of fringe communist parties.

It somehow goes beyond just hating America and NATO which are good common enemies. It is weird of course, as some of these people are very wealthy and in a real communist revolution would clearly get a bullet in the back of the head.

Yeah, I've noticed that some Communist movements still seem to be fond of Russia, despite everything that made them like it being gone. It's certainly not something exclusive to Finland.

Hardly. Russia is a fascist dictatorship. Fascism is a version of Socialism. Which is why fascists such as Mussolini and Hitler were such huge fans of Socialism, universally hated Capitalism, and were early proponents of the global Socialist movement in the 20th century.

In Russia the State is nearly all powerful, and realistically directly controls the means of production by its whim. It can change ownership of or nationalize any means of production at will. The only way it could be more Socialist, is if they nationalized all food production and stopped pretending there is private ownership. The government of Russia already controls all aspects of the economy and all major businesses. Supposed private ownership without actual private control is a farce, they're Socialist in everything but pretending regarding who owns what.

That was more than 70 years ago.

There is a continuity to human social organisation and behaviours that transcends both time and ideology.