Аннотация: The main purpose of this article is to investigate the problems of science development in modern Russia, such as insufficient state funding of science, changes in the value orientations in Russian society, as well as low salaries of scientists. The problems associated with the decline of science are identified, and the cause-and-effect relations of some of them are revealed. The importance of early solution of the mentioned problems is noted. It is argued that the Russian government and Russian society should develop a comprehensive systematic approach to solve all the identified problems in order to develop science to an appropriate level.