Some would point out that the fact that they’ve been at it continuously would seem to indicate that they’re smarter. :P
Should be noted that a lot of their rocket engines are 60s and 70s designs that they worked out all the bugs on. Their new stuff is based off rethinking those while keeping concepts that worked.
Should also be noted that NASA went around killing anything that was a danger to their pwecious shuttles, so a lot of talent and skill was lost there too.
“Some would point out that the fact that they’ve been at it continuously would seem to indicate that they’re smarter. :P”
The “Russian stuff is junk” crowd would not agree.