The sphere of postgraduate studies is the most governance reform-sensitive element of high school educational system in Russia. The article focuses on the governmental decisions taken to address difficulties in high school modernization sphere. The article posits that the mainstream modernization vector of educational system connected with the upgraded scientific and pedagogical personnel education is performed in accordance with transformational process set forth in Bologna declaration signed by the Russian Federation. The Covid-19 pandemic challenged the postgraduate reform results in Russia. The article provides a thorough and discourse analysis of scientific publications, expert interviews and normative documents. The study concludes that the set of fundamental approaches to further Russian system of postgraduate studies is currently semi-functional. Current reforms seek to overcome a destructive impact of the current postgraduate studies system. © 2022 Moscow Polytechnic University. All rights reserved.