re: Why the sudden fear that we may be on the same side as the Russians?

Putin is not a good man, he is bad for Russia.
Russia is no democracy, it much more like China. ( no free press, one party)
Putin is making Russia weaker economically, suppressing free speech, invading foreign countries - all to support Putin.

When Russia implodes, it could be real bad.

The only good thing he has done for Russia is strengthen its military, but at what cost? What gain?
No one will attack Russia because of nukes.
What have they gained from invading Georgia and Ukraine? Increased popularity for Putin and little else.