I'm french, so with bonused vils (especially upgraded via pioneers + market), and since I just got level 25 I get skirms, so I almost never have trouble beating ottomans unless I get out microed.
Also in your thread you said that a 4:30 time is late, get real, how often do you get 3xx time? If so then please post the recorded game TGE.
And one more thing, your talking about countering with russians, maybe talk more abouth other civs too?