The paper analyzes data from an expert survey conducted in 2024 (25 respondents) to identify challenges facing Russia’s cooperation with the BRICS countries (primarily China) in science and technology. The experts’ opinions are viewed as reflecting the views of those Russian business, academic, and government that are actively involved in BRICS scientific and technological cooperation. Respondents acknowledge the importance of such interaction for ensuring Russia’s technological sovereignty, but also note numerous fundamental institutional obstacles. Specifically, although China is Russia’s most important partner (with significant technological advances), Chinese partners are unwilling to share the latest key technologies with Russia, preferring to limit themselves to the supply of finished products. As a result, the pattern of technological subordination previously evident in Russia’s relations with Western countries could be replicated within BRICS. Experts emphasize the importance of ensuring Russia’s equal position and combining cooperation and competition by integrating the strengths of BRICS participants in the resource and technological spheres.