Weighing reputational and moral consequences of leaving Russia / staying

I left Russia with my parents when I was 6 years old over 25 years ago. There is a huge Russian diaspora all over the world, so you won't be alone. The US, where I live, has a lot of Russian speakers that have been moving here from all parts of the former USSR since its dissolution.

Personally I take the fatalistic approach that there's nothing you, as an average individual, can do to alter the fate of history. There's a handful of people that do, and most of us aren't that person. What you can do is be a better human being to your friends, family, and neighbors, and you can do that anywhere in the world. So from an ethical perspective, I don't think it makes a difference.

From a personal perspective - be selfish. If you even get a hint that you may have to get drafted, get out. If you think you will have more opportunities for your ambitions elsewhere (the US is still a great place for ambitious, intelligent, hardworking people), try to get out. But I will say that as a programmer in Moscow, you will have a very similar quality of life anywhere else in the world.

You seem to think about your reputation and your future.

But by staying in Russia and paying your taxes you contribute to the war effort. You are part of it. In my opinion leave. That makes Russias economy weaker and therefore easier for us to defend against Russias aggressions. Who knows maybe tomorrow you are on the frontlines and being pushed to kill others like so many your countryman do everyday.

I'm German so take this for whatever that means.

As long as you're not literally working on software for the Russian military or police apparatus, I don't think it's in anyone's right to condemn you for not leaving the country. Especially if you have friends and family and a stable income there.

However it sounds like moving would be an option for you and in my experience Russian software developers have a positive reputation in most of Europe, especially if they are fluent in English or the local language. If you are interested in the global market (i.e. the Western hemisphere - Asia and Africa is likely less of a problem), moving might be advantageous if only due to the sanctions and the strained relations that will still follow them whenever they are lifted. "I'm from Russia" is less of a deal-breaker than "I'm based in Russia" for the foreseeable future.

It's perfectly fine to continue maintaining your Russian social circle and your friendships, after leaving the country. As for business relationships, that's probably more limited and more likely to ruffle some feathers and may run into problems with the sanctions. It's also worth considering that Russia is cut off from European and North American banking and most countries have limits on how much cash you can take with you or bring into the country.

It sounds like your concerns are more motivated by pragmatism than principles. This is fine, but it's something you should be aware of when considering advice. Your environment shapes your perception but your principles only develop over time and often require serious reflection and may even end up in conflict with your environment. In the meantime I would suggest weighing the pros and cons but limiting the list to tangible factors that directly affect you as that's what actually motivates you right now.

So, stop thinking about it as a question of ethics but rather of comfort. It's also not about reputation but rather about business opportunities.

> I'm not involved in politics or the military action, but I can't help but feel implicated by my government's actions as a citizen here. Specifically, the increasing authoritarianism and human rights issues worry me.

You may be forced to participate in it if you stay, conscription.

If you feel like you are fine where you are then I'd just say stay.

> Is there anything constructive I can do if I stay?

What would that be? You contribute to their economy meaning you are helping with all the bad things your government does

I've seen an example of somewhat similar movement at https://vas3k.blog/ - old posts of Vas3k paint an interesting picture.

Decision mostly depends on internal position, relative importance of various things. West does have drawbacks, but also may offer unique benefits, at least for the moment - like the ability to plan ahead for long enough.

While the current regime in Russia persists, any project you make and especially any company you make would carry the taint. It's not about you personally and you can do nothing about it, but doing serious business with a company headquartered in Russia would always be problematic for the Western counterparty, even if they don't have any political or moral objections (many would have). So, if you want to live in a world that is not limited by Russia, Iran, PRC and maybe India - leave. If you don't feel it's ok with you to live in a fascist country (and let's not mince words, that's what Russia is now), even if you personally aren't taking part in its atrocities, leave. As a young, smart person possessing skills that are highly sought after on the market, you'll do fine. There would be adjustment period, there would be some problems to solve, you may feel our of your comfort zone and you will undergo some frustrations, but ultimately you will be fine, and likely better than you are now.

Nobody can tell you what your ethics should be, now that you're not a kid anymore, it's for you to discover and decide. But leaving Russia with your age and your skill set is certainly doable and in fact not that hard. I emigrated twice, and I wouldn't say it's exactly easy, but it's certainly something one can do if you want it to happen, and there's nothing to it that a reasonably smart person can't solve. And the younger you are, the easier it is. If you feel like that's what you want to do, don't waste time.

There's very little chance you can do anything for Russia now, if you don't like what's going on there. If you try, you will likely be hurt, jailed and maybe worse. Some people still do it, out of the feeling that even the tiniest chance of making difference is worth it. Nobody can advise to anybody else to be a hero, it's a very hard and very thankless thing to do. Many, including me, would admire such a choice, but nobody can require it or fault anyone for not choosing it. I know what I'd do - I'd leave as soon as I could and never look back - but your choice is yours and only you can make it.

Bit of a similar boat. I wish I had extensive and intelligent advice for you, but I'd definitely like to say this: _do right by yourself_. The actions of a few inglorious men in power affects everyone, and ends up tarring everyone with the same brush. IMO your duty isn't to a country or a flag - but to yourself. If emigration allows you to unlock/access opportunities that are otherwise (potentially) blocked due to geopolitical considerations, then it's only right to move.

This question suggests to me that you haven't fallen victim to (what I hear) Russian propaganda on its war effort. Perhaps it is because you are in software and better connected to the world via the internet. What is the feeling of the rest of the Russian population to the war?

You seem to be tying two different questions together. Would you have better business opportunities outside of Russia? And is it ethical to remain in a country whose government is acting against your personal ethics?

I don't have an answer on the first question, but I recommend disconnecting it from the second question. There are many governments in this world who make poor choices, suffer from corruption, perform unethical acts, etc. That doesn't make their people bad people. If you don't want to live in your country because of its acts, I commend you for holding that strongly to your ethics. But make that decision for your own reasons, not because you are worried of how it will impact your work. Otherwise your decision is less about ethics and more about money.

Are your parents still alive and in Russia? Is it easy for you to leave them?

I would leave my rotting country (Slovakia) in a heartbeat if it wasn't for my old parents. I have a decent salary here but I'd gladly take a pay cut to live in a proper Western country.

It’s a simple decision (leaving your political attitudes aside):

1. either you want to be isolated from the rest of the world (except china and iran) or not

2. which values are better fit to your nature - radical fundamentalism and totalitarianism, or democracy and capitalism

All your life (social, financial, cultural, spiritual, business) is going to be shaped by those 2 decisions.

Because environment does matter.

For example - have you heard of many successful international startups founded in iran?

And chances are the longer you wait with the decision - the less opportunity window you might have.

Alla Pugacheva has seen a lot over the years*; I find her response instructive.

(The first Новогодний Голубой огонек I saw after the SMO had the audience padded out with military members; I was assuming this is because artists are relatively mobile. Not true?)

* Q. Who was Brezhnev?

A. A politician active during the early Pugacheva period.

You worry about wrong things. At any moment Putin can close the borders and start “cleaning”, 1937-style. Run while you can.

Moving somewhere would be an experience in itself and would teach you to see the world a bit differently. The main thing is people around the world are not that different. You know how the majority around you seems to think Russia is fighting for a just cause because television said so? That same majority is just as unthinking the world over. Television gets them to do what they are told by telling them they are on the right side of history, the most moral people in the world, most cultured and advanced, and they lap it up.