R-77 was a great design for its time, but due to budgetary reasons, it wasn't developed to the same extent as its American counterpart (Aim-120). There were plans for multiple variants with different seekers, propulsion systems (including ramjets), and aerodynamic config. But no money to put them into production
R-77 chronologically corresponds to Aim-120A/B. Early Amraam's had a terrible hit ratio, worse than AIM-7s. It took a lot of development to make a compact (for something that isn't the size of an AIM-54) fully active air to air missile work well. The Amraam became what it is in the C-variant, after a lot of development. Russia on the other hand was broke in the 90s, and the R-77 remained more or less a 1st gen active-radar AAM with questionable capability. R-77-1 entered service later, which was an incremental upgrade.
TBH the performance of R-77's is questionable. By now, it's pretty certain they would've upgraded its seekers and electronics. But even then, its development was never complete in Russia, so it's quite outdated. I think medium-range BVR missiles are one of few areas Russia lags behind everyone else. More emphasis was placed on air defense, strategic weapons (ICBMs etc), and even air-to-ground weapons than BVR combat.
It had the chance to perform over Balakot but failed miserably. They probably fired a few, but they all missed for one reason or another. This is why the Meteor and Rafael are so important for them, as the IAF is in a notable disadvantage in BVR capability in the region. PAK AF's SD-10's are currently more capable than any BVR missile in Indian fields, it's a more developed product with more advanced technology. Not to mention the arsenal of really mean BVR missiles fielded by the PLA
For BAF, as it stands, only 6 of our aircraft are BVR capable, which is extremely pathetic.