It depends on which Russians you are asking. A while ago, even the Russians themselves could not agree upon whether it was better now or in Soviet times. As for Moscow, they have said it is like a different country inside Russia Everything is more expensive there and the standard of living is generally higher. Incomes there are higher of course.

Russians(and most people of other countries) are pretty knowledgeable about the world around them. I suppose every country has its uneducated people, but the US is fairly bad for its educated people not knowing much about the world.

But, let's let the Russians themselves tell us about it.