Good question. But there shouldn't be any surprise why the East has it or India.

I am not saying that it's the way it is but the way I see it is pretty simple. Post 90's we kinda let it go or focused on other things (and I don't know what exactly was it). But "East", I am guessing China and Taiwan, etc. managed to work it and develop it. I mean they got plugged in (to US economy) back in the 70's right? India too... they got their share of tech from the US and others.

After manufacturing for awhile it's hard not to come up with your own design and/or product. So here we go, Chinese are in the game now. Perhaps even India on certain things. Russia is behind because USSR went bye bye. Huge stagnation in our countries (ex-USSR) so what the hell... Russia is a bit behind now, no doubt. But nobody is helping Russia.

BUT, a big BUT. Russians are not stupid. In fact, they've been winning straight up international programming competitions. The problem, imho, is inability of Russian companies/firms to utilize or counter offer the salary for these talented people. It really is a shame that they don't even have the companies that are successful and can provide a good incentives for these people.

Russia needs the Silicon Valley, at all costs. That's how I see it. Either we have a thriving and well rewarding tech community in Russia OR we will continue to have the brain drain. That's all there is to it.

If the government likes to get into geopolitical games and gamble with the country for the sake of "keeping the country secured", then they better sponsor some programs that will keep good engineers and will encourage domestic innovation. Otherwise we are going to lose to mediocre Indians and Chinese.