Genghis,
Buran was a bit of a non starter....However I was wondering more about the manned missions to the moon....
From Starman and Korolev's books it would appear that technically they were making progress to match the americans...if not ahead but political pressure was applied to expedite the operation of immature designs which resulted in failures. especially the main booster (SV euqivalent) which then set the programme back....
Your experience may well contradict this but it is this perception that has generated the impression of a 'rush' to be first regardless....
As for the qulaity we need look noe further than the continued use and 'safety' of designs from that era...whilat the US has allowed these to become obsolete and rely solely on new technology....