To be fair, there is a concern that Russians abroad will covertly or overtly support the war, and given what we've seen from Russians harassing Ukrainians, these concerns are valid.

But I do agree. Is there not some way any partner in the West can accept Russians trying to flee, while keeping out, deporting, or otherwise minimizing the influence of the Putin shills? Every ruble not sent to their government through taxes, every cog missing from the Russian economy will be a drain on their war effort. And maybe the West can win over some highly trained young professionals to boot.

And I know there's the whole argument of 'they should protest and change their own nation'. But the truth is, Putin has formed Russian society in a way that makes this extremely difficult, effective protests require organization on a scale that Putin will easily be able to undermine, as he has control over so much of society and pretty much all the media there. Anybody who dares to protest individually will be conscripted or imprisoned. The most impactful way we can change Russia ~now~ is by delivering them a big fat defeat in Ukraine.