Russia and dare I say it Slavic people have a history of being backward compared with northern White Europeans, they really have not lead the way over the centuries when it comes to advances in knowledge or inventions along with other important areas.

I don't see any reason for cutting them any slack, their bad reputation has been earned and allowing communism to take hold amplified other shortcomings. It would take a lot of audacity to really think the moon missions were staged and that a cover up could possibly be made to last this long.