It wasn’t that long ago. Russia had 3 spots in 2015.
russian ice dance now are much better because almost all having good skating skills except S/B, just look at the upcoming seniors next season
also this was the best chance for Stepanova / Bukin to medal but I guess international judges really do prefer Sinitsina / Katsalapova.
I will not be surprised if one of Khubadarieva / Nazarov or Schevchenko / Eremenko bypass Zahorski/Guerero next season, they have very good skating skills with plenty of room to improve and they do not have the Kustarova Curse .