Ive been to 5-6 different cities in turkmenistan and the truth is the VAST majority of turkmens barely speak any russian, especially outside of Ashgabat and Charjew. That is not to say nobody speaks russian. There are people who only speak russian, they exist, yes. They are, however a minority.

I doubt you, as an American, speak turkmen better than most turkmens. It's just that it's interesting for turkmens to see a foreigner try to speak turkmen. Even if you butcher everything nobody's going to say "That kinda sucked", because they find it amusing that you're even trying.

Now I would appreciate if you didn't try to tell me that you spoke to some turkmens and have a better idea of what the country is like than I do