Obviously our leaders are better. Our standard of living is higher, our life expectancy is 10 years longer, and our 20-year olds aren't dying in a meaningless war.

Putin's leadership is so atrocious that he's bad even by the standards of Russian leaders. No need to watch the news to come to this conclusion, just look at the numbers. All Russian statistics point to a society in decline, held afloat (briefly) by high oil prices, and unable (under present leadership) to reform itself.