Russia is by no means unique in this respect. This applies to most global and regional hegemons. There are many that do not like the U.S. or China. Britain and Germany in recent memory, or France earlier in early modern Europe, inspired similar fear. But what is particularly worrying about Russia now is that the narrative being privileged within the country only portrays Russia as the victim of recent history. This makes it difficult for Russians and their neighbours to come to a common historical understanding.

Here is some polling numbers that show that Russia has gained a lot of negative perception:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/country-rating-poll.p...

EDIT: I do think that Russia is viewed as having a corruption/mobster issue in the West, even before the Ukraine issue.

Because of our propaganda. We heard all kinds of things about Russian military mobilization, conspiracy theories about who shot down the airliner, how much Putin hates gays, how horrible living conditions were at the Sochi olympic village, how "rigged" the Crimean referendum was, etc.

But we have heard nothing about NATO breaking its post-wall promise, of the enormous rise of nazism on Russia's borders( actual nazism, not the soft nationalism you see in France ), the outrageous corruption and duplicity of the players responsible for the ouster of Yanukovych, the ethnic and political divisions between the Crimea and Ukraine proper, etc.

I continue to be astounded that HN is so virulently anti-russia, mainly because I thought this group would be the most immune to propaganda and most likely to question the official narrative.

The military mobilization on Ukraine's borders did happen.

> conspiracy theories about who shot down the airliner

It was likely the rebels with Russian technology.

> how much Putin hates gays

He did that to himself.

> how horrible living conditions were at the Sochi olympic village

I don't think that is a major factor.

> nazism on Russia's borders

Please explain.

> outrageous corruption and duplicity of the players responsible for the ouster of Yanukovych

Please explain.

> the ethnic and political divisions between the Crimea and Ukraine proper

I am aware of that. But doing an invasion first and then asking for permission or doing a referendum is not usually how these things are done in the modern era. That was an aggressive move. Usually there is an independence movement and votes are held and permission is sought, it is a long process but a doable one if it is peaceful.

Their posters and literature were obviously propaganda. The US had Hollywood. Slick veneered movies where the Reds attack and plucky bunch of kids help slow and dismantle their war machine. So many 70s and 80sfilms revolve around that core concept. That has to stick.

Fortunately we've moved on. Sure there are throwbacks. Excluding those, we've focused our hatred on the Muslims alla 24.

http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/09/03/global-opinion-of-russia...

Everybody older than 25 watched a good number of movies where Russians were the threat. Mostly James Bond style movies, but you've got a few others in there as well.

We don't like imperialistic ambitions.

We don't like bullies that believe they have the right suppress weaker nations, simply because they are stronger.

We don't like liars and deceivers.

We don't like people that willingly welcome nationalistic propaganda.

Right now Russia is all of the above.

For a while we believed that Russia would honor agreements and treaties, such as the one where Russia guaranteed the sovereignty of Ukraine in exchange for Ukrainian nuclear disarmament.

For a while we believed that Russia had given up the old dream of dominating its neighboring countries.

For a while we believed that Russia was growing more democratic and respectful of international law, norms and standards.

For a while we (naively) believed what Russian leaders told us.

For a while we believed that the Russian people had learned from the Soviet era and truly wanted a free society with meaningful democratic institutions. For a while we believed that the Russian people could see through nationalistic propaganda and resist being riled up by lies and misrepresentations (such as Ukrainians being "fascists").

We were let down. We are now massively disappointed. By Russia, by Russian leaders and - yes - by the Russian people who are demonstrating a staggering deliberate ignorance.

Personally I am so disappointing that I am willing to endure hardship and lower economic growth just to draw a line now and take a stand.

Turn this around. Throw out Putin. Allow free, critical press. Negotiate a deal with Ukraine on Crimea (I am sure one could be worked out as long as it is not at gunpoint). It will cost you, but it is obvious that a deal with gas in exchange for territory would be possible.

But above all, I need to see realization from the Russian public that they cannot act as bullies, that Russia does not have "more right" than others simply because they are stronger. That's the irony: The doctrine that a stronger state has the right to suppress weaker states is the core principle of fascism. I am sorry to say, but you, the Russian people who believe that "Crimea is ours", it is you who have become the fascists!

It do not dislike Russians. But I have become extremely suspicious as to the intentions of the Russian leaders and how far the Russian people will allow them to go.

As you can tell from Putin's elaborate use of propaganda, regular Russians would probably not agree with chauvinist and aggressive policies (otherwise the propaganda wouldn't be necessary). I don't believe many Russians perceive themselves as supporting a government that pursues an aggressive policy. It's easy to see how that propaganda can work - compare the US' post-9/11 invasion of Iraq, backed by a public opinion that was mostly manufactured.

Don't get me wrong - Putin's actions are definitely wrong and unacceptable, and the West has to take proper action to deter him from further escalation. But we have to be cognizant of what will work, and what will only deepen the conflict. This is international politics - don't act on anger, disappointment, or other feelings, it'll most likely make things worse.

> We don't like people that willingly welcome nationalistic propaganda.

This actually describes the USA really really well.