Ksenia Tsybutovich headed Russia in front and when Oleysa Kurochkina made it 2-0 England were really struggling.
But Kaz Carney and Eniola Oluko got England on level terms before Smith's stunning 45-yard volley sealed a remarkable comeback before half-time.
Smith's goal was an inspired long-roal was an inspired long-range effort
Olga Petrova shot inches wide with the final kick of the game as England held on for a deserved win.
Russia began the stronger, with Valentina Savchenkova's long-range effort tipped over by England keeper Rachel Brown, and from the resulting corner, defender Tsybutovich was allowed to score from a free header.
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England went all out in search of an equaliser, with Faye White going closest when she headed against the bar, but they paid the price when they fell 2-0 behind.
Lindsay Johnson and White failed to deal with a long ball down the centre and Kurochkina nipped in to poke home a second goal for Russia.
Within a minute, Carney had replied with a low curling effort into the bottom corner, and she then set up Oluko to slide in the equaliser from a tight angle on the right-hand side of the box.
Then Smith had the crowd on their feet with an audacious 45-yard volley as she returned the Russian keeper's clearance kick, as England turned the game on its head before half-time.
The interval broke up the momentum of the game and certainly seemed to disrupt England, who were never as fluent after the restart.
Petrova wasted a golden chance to equalise when she shot wide from close range, and she was off target again with the final kick of the game as Russia went out of the competitio
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