You don't have to explain DC++ or Первый Канал shows to me; I had the same exposure to them as you. (I know your nickname from other .ru websites, such as LOR.) But you would be the first Russian to tell me that CP or CP "stars" are somehow "popular with youth" in Russia. I mean, I literally have never seen these memes you are talking about, nor had them mentioned to me by my acquaintances who are no less Russian than me.

You mention social networks and youtube. These things are echo chambers; they recommend you things that they think will induce more clicks out of you (one side effect of that is clickbait: the more infuriating it is, the more likely you are to click to learn more). Are you sure this "popularity" isn't an artefact of targeted advertising?