Russian bear
noun
A bear from Russia; (specifically) a national personification of Russia, its former empire, or the former Soviet Union.
- The figure of the Russian bear has often been used by hostile observers to represent the size, power, and potential threat posed by the Russian state; it has also on occasion been adopted by the Russians themselves as a symbol of their nation..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Dekker (c1572–1632), playwright and pamphleteer.