Not a single communist says Russia is still socialist. Marxist-Leninists tend to critically support Russia's opposition to US imperial hegemony the same way we critically support Iran. It doesn't mean we support bourgeois nationalist states for their economy or social views, but instead for their progressive geopolitical role.

The idea that MLs think Russia is still socialist is a lie deliberately used to obfuscate the actual ML stance on Russia, because engaging with the actual ML stance on Russia leads people to Marxism-Leninism.