An increasing number of high-calibre researchers are being accused of treason in today’s Russia, mostly without official charges, landing behind bars for decades. And the main beneficiary of their imprisonment is the Federal Security Service (FSB), which deprives them not only of their freedom and ability to work, but sometimes of their lives.
This is so disturbing. Like other times where this kind of thing has happened in the past, it will probably cause an exodus of scientists (at least, the few that CAN escape) that will benefit other countries and cause a loss in scientific power in Russia in the next generation.
Yeah, it has been happening and is still ongoing.
Exodus of scientists from Russia has passed 50,000 since 2018 as more pack their bags to go
Experts describe the exodus of scientists from Russia as ‘concerning’ and say it is important to maintain engagement with those remaining in the country to ensure they are not cut off from the global community and that scientific lines of communication remain open.