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, wher

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.