Such scenario is possible only in Movie or fantasy book
Russians don't really know what is real democracy because they never had democracy in their country.
But, they remember ''old good days'' when they had great world influence as USSR and they was unhappy when USSR collapsed.
Putin had luck with oil price (Russian economy recovered) and a few war victories and through this he gave Russian people national pride again.
Because of this they respect Putin but you can't compare Russia and USA.
For the same reasons Russian like Putin, people in America hate him.
Those in USA, who hate Putin (a stron word you chose!) are most probably FOX-watchers.
As for democracy in Russia. There is more of it there, than in the US. How many TV shows in US present all sides of a matter? Would a Russian politician be allowed to speak at a US talk show?
And by the way, define your vision of democracy. Is it a warplane dropping bombs on your head when you say you don't want American external governance?