The country of Russia is what remains of the former Soviet Union (Of which Russia was a province/state). The Russian/Soviet space program has been quite expansive and capable over many decades. Currently it appears to be suffering from lack of funding leading to quality control issues at times.
Russia, the country is the largest remaining component of the former Soviet Union. The space program of the Soviet Union and of Russia has generated many space firsts, often goaded on by political aims to attain those firsts at all costs.
The main launcher used for Soyuz manned missions to the space station is fundamentally the same basic design as the launcher used for some of the very first space missions. If it works, why change it, appears to be a Russian model.
