TTN,
My guess is that he is referring to the ICAO regulations (of which Russia is a signatory) that expressly forbids aircraft flying in this class of controlled airspace without a clearance, RT contact or a squawk.
Russia is quite at liberty to fly in international airspace if it files a flight plan and flies in accordance with the AIP, even if it annoys the heck out of the controlling FIR or the host government. It is not entitled to carry out unsafe acts against the international agreements that it has agreed to. Russian military can also fly with 'due regard' but this still carries a responsibility and cannot lead to unsafe acts such as this.
