Probably since the Bolshevik revolution the Russian reputation has suffered a a lot and Russia was seen as the home of evil in books ("Tintin in Russia"), movies (most of political thrillers) and other media.
Modern Russian companies don't only have to cope with the heritage, but also with the often dubious facts around the time when they were privatized, management members who are perceived as suspicious by the public in the West and a lifestyle of prominent Russian business figures, which also raises concerns in the public.
Today there are reports about a Russian billionaire who was taken into custody in France after a party, which police thought was an orgy with illegal prostitutes. It seems they didn't prove anything to be wrong in the end - so it seems the guy was really a victim of general perception.
It probably will need more than millions they are throwing into European football (Chelsea, Schalke) to get their image sorted. With all the money involved in their businesses it is a miracle they have not been able to get a better image so far.
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