Do not under estimate your opponent - is one of the major rules made clear by Sun Tzu in his famous book called The Art of War so i sugest you listen what the man says. The only reason why world thinks Russian military power is inferior to US one is because Russian branches of armed forces are not advertised as much or better said at all. People keep forgeting that the power is in knowledge and experience more than it is in technology. Most of the Russian army went trough Checnya and other conflicts in the region and are still in service, unlike where most of the US army (at least enlisted corps) leave service after one conflict. I cannot say if Russia could beat USA or vice versa but i can say that Russia is not to be mocked or pushed around.