The role of modern elites in the political and economic innovational modernization of countries across the world, in particular Russia, is analyzed in this paper. Provided that in the early 21st century the development processes are tightly controlled by elite communities and groups in a majority of countries, virtually all strategic innovative projects are launched and directed by them. However, not many segments of ruling establishment are in favor of reforming initiatives, let alone the population, whose political culture is quite conservative. Therefore, the author tries to determine who is “an innovative thinking initiator” in the contemporary society, and who is becoming a follower. At this all difficulties and issues that go along with the innovative project implementation are analyzed based on Russian experience. In particular, special attention is paid to the national innovative development prospects strategic vision by the elite groups.