I believe that anyone that thought Russian Imperialism went away is delusional. Giving lip service to the demise of the 'Cold War' is just that, lip service and not reality.
They have several reasons to believe they should be calling the shots on this planet. And anything they can do to frustrate what they see as American meddling in 'their' backyard will be done. An added factor is their willingness to peddle weapons of any description anywhere. It makes em look bad when their customers get their butts kicked using Russion Ordnance.
Their Afghanistan experience is not out of memory either. Guess who taught the Mujahedin how to take out an MI24, the armored assaualt heli' nicknamed Hind. The Russians, as all should, have long memories.