Those pesky Soviets...er Russians and there socialist propoganda...er democratic...er dictatorial...er whatever they've got for a government and its pesky propoganda.

The Buran  shuttle itself, otherwise, is quite similar to the U.S shuttle, it is, however, more advanced in the sense that unlike the U.S shuttle it can be piloted unmanned solely by computer, completing even complex two week missions with no-one on board.

To summarise... Buran-Energia was in many ways an improvement on the US Shuttle system, with a much more flexible design, even if sadly, it is not the system that is currently in operation.

The U.S. Shuttle System Vs. Russia's Buran-Energia

heh.

eh...

Wait.  I got lost there somewhere.  Doesn't something have to actually DO something before it can be declared better?  I mean we are up to Shuttle Mission STS-124.  That should count for something don't you think.  Throw me a bone here people.

There are some awesome pictures over there though.  Like this one.

...static..."This is Major Tom, I'm ready for liftoff, tell my wife I love her."...static.

Sorry about the snark...sorta.

More Official Site: Molniya Research Industrial Corporation.