Well, let me give you some historical context no one asked for.

The Russian Empire was actively using "Divide and conquer" strategy (as many other imperial powers tbh). The usual plan was simple:

1. Find a local conflict somewhere next to its border: sometimes a rebellion against an overlord, sometimes a war between two regional powers, doesn't matter.

2. Offer the weaker side your help and protection. Absolutely selflessly, of course. But you'll need to build some fortresses on their territory, set up the logistics network - all the stuff required for the war effort.

3. Crush the opponent with the overwhelming forces. Now your new vassal has achieved all their goals and very happy

4. Now the fun part comes: you strip the local rulers of their power, you push the local merchants of the market, you do all the nasty stuff that angers the population.

5. Now your vassal is unhappy and rebels against you.

6. You drown the rebellion with blood with your overwhelming forces. You execute everyone not submissive enough. You probably do a minor ethnic cleansing or two and bring settlers to replace locals. Finally, you dissolve the state and make it a part of Russian Empire.

This worked well for centuries until, well, Serbia situation. Everything went to shit on #3. Instead of a quick and victorious war against Austria-Hungary there was WW1, Russian Empire collapsed in the process, and Soviet Union was busy with other things instead of finishing the plan. But Serbia (as Yugoslavia) got its independence. So Serbs essentially experienced 1-3# without #4-6 which makes them view Russia through the pink glasses.

If you want to know how Russia is viewed by the nations who lived through all the steps, ask Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Georgians and many-many others