[yesbut]

it isn't going to stop Putin but it could negatively impact normal people. in no universe will the handful of Russian programmers impacted by this rise up and overthrow their government. but they will be forced to work extra hours cleaning up any damage this caused to their system. This is really lame virtue signalling that only harms fellow workers because their government is terrible.

[afavour]

But this is pretty much the exact logic sanctions work by. Putin and his cronies might lose some super yachts but the main aim is to crash the Russian economy, which will hurt everyday Russians far more than any leader. Not that I have any better ideas, but you could argue this move is in a similar vein.

[jonny_eh]

The sanctions also choke the state's military of funding.

[_-david-_]

Sanctions lower taxes which hurt the government funding. It may or may not be effective but they are not remotely the same.

[btreecat]

So sanctions? I get it, collateral damage is indeed collateral. That's why I don't know how to feel.

If this move broke some key software used on the battlefield, would we all be so quick with our positions?