Well, there is merit to what you say. However, the full story of the Soviet space program has yet to be written I think. While our program was based upon technology, theirs was based upon brute force, huge rockets, low technology, and I suspect if the truth were known, at considerable loss of life. Also, keep in mind that the Soviets were never able to put people on the moon - had to abandon this endeavor much to their chagrin...
The T-34 and the AK-47 are very good examples of Russian technology - simply, but devastatingly effective.
You could call it brute force, but the Russians could come up with a simple but effective way of building carriers if they really mean business.