think of it this way... if a kid suicide bombs...

... and yet they gleefully send them off, explosives strapped to their waists, to blow themselves and others to bits.

and then when interviewed, express great pride and love in - not only the child that just did the deed, but their other children for whom they desire an identical fate.

did russians do that, or did anyone really think they could/would?

this is an entirely different scenario; assuming these folks will behave as a 'western' mindset would expect (deterence, "they won't do it, they have too much to lose", etc.) would be very foolish, imo.