First, I’d just like to say that this year’s Worlds dance results don’t depict the real story with Russian dance, and we all know it. If Bobrova & Soloviev had gone to Worlds, they would very likely have had the experience to lead this team; and it’s also plausible that Sinitsina & Katsalapov would have skated better without the pressure of being Russia’s unanticipated number one (I’m not saying that lack of pressure would have fixed the twizzles, though).
As for the future, generally speaking, you can’t just generalize. Each dance team is unique. Their strengths and weaknesses are different, and the path toward improvement is different. This is an answer politicians and reporters don’t like to hear because it doesn’t work as a soundbite or a headline, but it is the truth. Coaches and athletes need the kind of support and freedom that will allow them to find the right path for themselves.
As far as the big picture goes, here are some thoughts for a road map:
1. Build some depth. There seem to be tons of Russian junior teams, but how are they going to get the support and experience they need to break in as seniors in the international field? This is dance. It’s a long-term commitment. Most teams don’t just leap into the Grand Prix; and those that do can’t expect immediate results. These teams need time and exposure—the latter of which they are unlikely to get doing the Russian Cup series. Why is depth important? Why not just support the bright, shining stars that shoot straight to the top? Because then your entire program goes down the drain when the teams you've been counting on get 1. injured, 2. banned, 3. split up because they can't get along.
2. Get the lower-ranked senior Russian teams out on the Challenger series. Monko & Khaliavin and Yanovskaya & Mosgov are both out of the top 24 on the SB and World-ranking lists for GP selections this coming season. We all knew there was a good chance they weren't going to make the post season. There's no excuse for them not having any secondary events to help build up their world standing. Russia needs to be thinking long term. World standing results don't build overnight.
3. Don't undermine top athletes. Bobrova & Soloviev and Ilynikh & Zhiganshin were signed up for the same season opener this year. What the heck? Don’t subjugate a national champion team right off the bat. (The Russian Fed is far from the only federation to do this. USFSA did it last season. And Canada & their poorly-timed V&M announcement at 4CC's did W&P no favors this season). Then when it looked like B&S might lose to Hubbell & Donahue, Russian pundits were all ready to publicly criticize B&S and put their political backing behind S&K.
. Just let the skaters do their job.
4. Send the top teams out to compete against the real competition and/or away from home. Russian teams aren't going to get real feedback and criticism skating at the Mordovian Ornament or in Eastern Europe. Try competing at the U.S. or Autumn Classic. (So what if you lose? You might not. And if you do, at least you’ll learn something. The judges this season demonstrated that they aren’t going to hold anyone’s season opener against a team down the road). The top three North American teams were all in Europe right off the bat this past fall. All three walked away with serious criticism and made dramatic changes to their programs before the GP. The Russian teams didn’t get international feedback until Skate Canada, Cup of China, and—in the case of Stepanova & Bukin’s FD—NHK. The next two Olympics are in Asia. Neutral territory at best. And Korea is definitely not pro-Russia. This isn’t like getting ready for Sochi. Go to the tough competitions.
5. Be open to outside expertise. This is starting to happen. S&K and I&Z are finally tapping into some of the Russian expertise in North America. As are some of the junior Russian dance teams. And let’s not limit teams to only Russian expertise. (Is Marina Zoueva really the best insight Julia could get for planning a 70’s rock & roll number?) There are many tremendous Russian coaches & choreographers, but that doesn’t mean they are the perfect fit for every Russian dance team. There is a whole world of expertise out there. Use it. Zhulin’s dramatic Russian choreography works beautifully for Bobrova & Soloviev. The current packaging is not working for Monko & Khaliavin or Stepanova & Bukin. They’re still finding their way. Perhaps their own coaches will find it, but it’s also possible that a new pair of eyes might provide some inspiration. Then have the coach adapt it and ensure it really works.
6. Treat the current World results like the learning experience they are. Stepanova & Bukin were thrilled with their free skate performance. The American/Canadian commentators were impressed with their performance. This was an away-game for this team and they came away stronger for the fight. They will be more confident and better recognized the next time they come to North America. Sinitsina & Katsalapov had a bit of a baptism by fire in their first Worlds experience together. They could have skated better, but they could have skated worse. They established themselves as a top ten team when last season they couldn't get onto the podium at nationals or even get the technical minimum score. Overall, it's been an incredibly successful season
for them.
But now, after all the positive news about the case... who knows.
Russians may have lost some momentum because of emigration of a lot of their top talents and coaches in the recent past. Howeve, their system is still in a top notch shape. Losing few talented elements did not hurt it much, just a natural delay for replacements. 
Russian FS breathes in 4-year cycles, Olympics to Olympics. We all know that. So don't be too premature menace while sipping kool-aid in your little hood. 
