Their population has mostly stabilized (still declining, but not at previous rates) and their demographics are better than many Western European countries and certainly better that the rest of Eastern Europe.

> their ability to take out a carrier strike force

A Project 22350 could absolutely disable a carrier strike group:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/05/europe/russia-warship-hyperso...

And that's ignoring their new sub lineup, which also field Zircon's among other systems.