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As Russia sees tech brain drain, other nations hope to gain

FILE - People walk through Red Square after sunset in Moscow, Russia, on March 3, 2019, with the St. Basil's left, and the Spasskaya Tower, second right, in the background. Russian technology workers are fleeing the country by the tens of thousands as the economy goes into a tailspin under pressure from international sanctions. For some countries, Russia's loss is being seen as their potential gain and an opportunity to bring fresh expertise to their own high-tech industries. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
FILE - People walk through Red Square after sunset in Moscow, Russia, on March 3, 2019, with the St. Basil's left, and the Spasskaya Tower, second right, in the background. Russian technology workers are fleeing the country by the tens of thousands as the economy goes into a tailspin under pressure from international sanctions. For some countries, Russia's loss is being seen as their potential gain and an opportunity to bring fresh expertise to their own high-tech industries. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - People walk through Red Square after sunset in Moscow, Russia, on March 3, 2019, with the St. Basil's left, and the Spasskaya Tower, second right, in the background. Russian technology workers are fleeing the country by the tens of thousands as the economy goes into a tailspin under pressure from international sanctions. For some countries, Russia's loss is being seen as their potential gain and an opportunity to bring fresh expertise to their own high-tech industries. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

By LIUDAS DAPKUS / Associated Press 6 min read

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) – Russia’s tech workers are looking for safer and more secure professional pastures.

By one estimate, up to 70,000 computer specialists, spooked by a sudden frost in the business and political climate, have bolted the country since Russia invaded Ukraine five weeks ago. Many more are expected to follow.

For some countries, Russia’s loss is being seen as their potential gain and an opportunity to bring fresh expertise to their own high-tech industries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has noticed the brain drain even in the throes of a war that, according to the U.N. refugee agency, has caused more than 4 million people to flee Ukraine and displaced millions more within the country.

This week, Putin reacted to the exodus of tech professionals by approving legislation to eliminate income taxes between now and 2024 for individuals who work for information technology companies.