Computer science in Russia: a personal view

The paper presents a personal view of Russian (former Soviet Union) computer science based on the author's experience during 1965-1995. The outline of Russian computer science's vertical integration structure as well as a cursory look at the regional structure are described. The research topics under investigation of Russian computer science institutions are listed. A detailed picture of computer development starting from the 1950s and of the characteristics of the major development teams is given. Special attention is paid to finding the factors that led to the crash of the computer industry. The strategy blunders are noted.