Mainly because the damned WTO membership and various international agreements were ensuring destruction of domestic production.
The country is at war now, and economic one, but still a war. Russians are notoriously resilient when threat comes from outside (once again).
Because they never really leave a state of war. When was the last time people in Russia didn't feel as if they're struggling? Sure the rich middle class made out well in the last 20 years, but not many others. It's hard to know sadness when you have never had the chance to experience happiness.
Sadly, you are right. Each time Russia enters a stretch of relative calm and prosperity, there comes a war (economic, military, diplomatic) or aggressive behaviour from the Big Game ringleaders. It was so before 1850s, 1914, 1980s, and now.
In another thread, hologram said, why Russia bothers with the outside world if they want to be isolationist. It was a response to my statement that Russia would like to be left alone for a change. But it's not the same. Russia wants to be left alone in its internal policies and treated as an equal partner, but not isolated.