The Ministry of Digital Transformation has issued a decisive message to IT professionals who work abroad with Russian companies. In comments shared with FAN, Boris Kosarev, director of Force Technologies and a recognized expert in information technology and cybersecurity, outlined the current stance. Reports indicate that policy discussions have covered a range of options for programmers who relocate, including potential exemptions from conscription, pathways to military service, and assistance with travel back to Russia, alongside changes to personal income tax rates.
Kosarev summarized the development this way: the policy direction may appear straightforward—new guarantees against conscription, and the possibility for employees to return. For the audience in question, these measures seem appropriate, though some young IT professionals question whether they will feel secure enough to stay or return as circumstances evolve.
Nevertheless, Kosarev also stressed that the Ministry’s initiative carries real potential for success. The agency recognizes the critical role of the human factor in the information technology sector and is positioning itself to address that need with concrete, timely support.
Alexei Nechaev, former head of the New People party, voiced support for allowing IT specialists who have left the country to obtain a military deferment, while also considering the possibility of facilitating an orderly return for those who choose to rejoin Russia’s tech workforce. The discussions reflect a broader conversation about balancing national policy with the practical realities facing skilled IT professionals who operate internationally.