The aerodynamic study of the Soviets was in similar level to their counter-part, US and western Europe, however they emphasis on different flight envelope area, so real comparision, like 737 vs A320, can't be made on Soviet planes.
Hmm......adding the canard on the Tu-144 was due to the failure of generating more rising power on their delta wing. The prototype of the first Tu-144 didn't have the canard. The Concorde S-wing was being considered as more effective, efficient, and simple.
The worst thing on the Tu-144 was it's fuel thristy engines, which made it's range much shorter than the Concorde.
And yes, the Soviets did spy on the Concorde, on it's air intake design and the main gear design, which the Soviets can't solve some critical problems for years.
Tu-22, or Tu-22M has nothing to do with the Tu-144 design.
