An account is presented of the work done in the USSR on the generation of thermal plasma, plasma melting, and plasma jet processes. The various methods of plasma generation are reviewed, such as arc plasma generators and high frequency (HF) plasma generators including HF-induction plasmatrons, HF-capacity plasmatrons and HF-flame plasmatrons. Plasma melting techniques covered include plasma-arc remelting and reduction melting. Plasma jet reactors, multi-jet reactors, and processes such as product extraction, dispersed material behaviour in plasma jets, production of disperse materials, reduction of metals, synthesis of metal compounds, and production of composite materials are briefly described.