Various aspects of tuberculosis in Russia, including epidemiology, means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, have been widely discussed in the last few years in the medical literature and by the general media. A certain amount of controversy has been generated on some of these subjects. This review is an attempt to objectively analyze the true situation of tuberculosis in Russia, including the issues of control measures, as viewed by the public health authorities and by the majority of Russian tuberculosis specialists. The data presented and their analysis reflect the official position of the Russian Federation Ministry of Health. These views became a basis for the concept of the national anti-tuberculosis program to serve the needs of the population, which was approved by the Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health of Russia in February 2000.