Durov, the founder of VK once very upbeat about Russian scene, had to flee abroad after hostile takeover by Russian government affiliates. His Telegram is an American company.

Korolev, the champion of Soviet space programme, has died because the doctors could not ventilate his lungs. His jaw, intricately broken by NKVD interrogators in 1930s, blocked the pathway. The Soviet space programme limped ever since.

Names, leaders and technologies change, but certain things there are self perpetuating.

Lulzy rule of law in a kleptomancy ruled by a de facto dictator and his henchmen takes its toll on people.

That's a shame. So much untapped human capital. For every Sergei Brin and Max Levchin that makes it to the US, there are probably 10 others that could have as much a positive impact in the right environment.

You are presuming OP to be correct..

But what do you know!

Even China itself seems to think pairing up with Russia for economic development is a good idea..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRICS#New_Development_Bank

Gee I wonder why some of these countries are portrayed negatively or suspiciously in the west..

"The CRA is generally seen as a competitor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and along with the New Development Bank is viewed as an example of increasing South-South cooperation."

Since you are tip-toeing around the actual technology part I assume you have little to argue my assessment.

Otherwise, you have a great chance to overwhelm me with a barrage of easy to find counterexamples of Russian ingenious technological innovations and breakthroughs in the last 20 years. Extra points if it's not some weapons system based on 1970s Soviet platform.

the technology part of someone saying 'economic powerhouse'?

excuse me if i'm confused about who is 'tiptoing'

US was still launching satellites in Kazakhstan, last I checked...

Russia occasionally likes to buy seats at the big table to foster the illusion that they're a world economic power.

Note that South Africa also put up $10B, and isn't even remotely considered a world economic superpower.

Russia's GDP is $1.28T. That makes them the second-smallest of those four countries, with only South Africa being smaller.

China is logically interested in Russia's natural resources and military technology. It's not as if they were proposing an equal partnership.