There are many labs, globally, in this race. The molecular ways to create the diversity of approaches are well known. Russia has many smart people, but they lac

There are many labs, globally, in this race. The molecular ways to create the diversity of approaches are well known. Russia has many smart people, but they lack the latest fabrication tools for assembling large volumes of some vaccines. They can make chicken egg and insect cell cultivated vaccines in volume if they identify a working vaccine candidate that can be made that way. They may face volume production problems in making volumes of fabricated antigens??, however, if a candidate is found, western companies can partner and make the volume. The degree of testing to large size phase 3 approvals is costly and time consuming. Russia may choose to jump the regulatory queue and make a volume released candidate with a lower degree of approval. Countries will choose to accept/deny release on a country by country basis. Thus, I feel Russia has a shot at success if they are able to field a good vaccine. Politics might deny access to some countries, but any well documented release can function as a de-facto phase 3 trial if it works and has no side effects/deaths etc. The USA has a tendency to deprecate Russia - political crap - Russia has smart people and a good education system, but is deficient in many facilities in depth.