Russian journalists, many of which do actual journalism in effort to fight tyrants who will kill them (plenty of examples) appreciate the fact that Assange has no problem putting out info that shows corruption in Russian government.  He's done it several times before. They're not defending Assange because he's a Russian agent.  They're defending him because he helps their cause as journalists against tyrannical government. That's my (admittedly) half-baked theory anyhow.