There are parallels in history.
Every party, that fought Russia during the times, underestimated the Russian military.
The Turkish Sultan, Napoleon, Hitler and even (excuse the state in this enumeration) the USA.
In recent times, the prejudices come from the use of Russian weapon systems by the Muslims. But I am shure if you give the Muslims the most modern western weapon systems, they would loose too.
It depends all on the man, that handels the weapons. It is about the education level, the tactics and the mentality of the soldier down to the youngest conscript.
I am shure if Israel i.e. would interchange their weapon systems with the Syrians or Egypt, they would beat them as well.
I personally think very highly about Russian weapon systems and about the Russian military from a "technically" point of view.
I think, that our task is to explain to the Russians, that it is in their interest to feel associated with us.
I know it will not be easy, because lots of porcelain is broken on both sides. But Russians are no quranimals and if we will give them respect, it will return to us.