Not sure this is really what anyone had in mind when sanctioning Russia? The maintainers probably aren't pleased but can't see a direct route from there to Putin's opinion of the war in Ukraine.
Probably not sanctions, but national security concerns.
The former aims to punish and worsen the situation of the other country, the latter aims to reduce the attack vector and improve the situation of the US.
If I were a KGB (FSB) agent with a task to undermine US infrastructure with my commits in Linux kernel, using my real russian name and .ru TLD would be the last thing to do.
Sure, but if I were an agency tasked with protecting US from security threats, I would begin with the lowest hanging fruit.
Yes, probably the guy who holds up the number "3" using his thumb, index, and middle finger shouldn't be allowed in the Super Secret Vault. But the dude right behind him who has "I'm Russian" tattooed on his forehead shouldn't be allowed in either, and he's a bit easier to spot.
It’s pretty evident at this point that any Russian citizen in Russia or with family in Russia can be coerced, and it’s also pretty clear that Putin specifically does not have good intentions.
There are lots of good people there. It’s too bad there is a crazy person at the helm.
It is evident everyone CAN be coerced. Not that everyone WILL BE, because some people still think of themselves as people, not some “honest citizens” or “economic agents”.
It is also evident that someone quite far from Russia HAS ALREADY BEEN coerced to make that unannounced change, but you try really hard to look the other way. “Those Linux nerds” were shown who's the boss in the room when it comes to “important matters”. Don't you feel that the form of that change itself is a sign of silent disobedience, and you are expected to participate in public outcry forcing further developments instead of just bending over willingly?
It is totally possible that there was some direct intelligence that those accounts can be used in some clandestine operation in the future, probably without even asking some of the owners. After all, spies are #1 information source to other spies, they run the global spectacle together. Still, accepting “this is secret” as an excuse, you are already accepting defeat.
The cost/risk to the Russian government of coercing someone to do anything is approximately zero. Not so much in the US/etc., the risk of negative consequences is not insignificant?
> were shown who's the boss in the room when it comes to “important matters”.
Or Linus just doesn't like Russia(ns)? Why is there a need for some conspiracy?
all you have to look at is the number of russian oligarchs being defenstrated since the invasion began to know that if it served russian aims to inject malware into the kernel somehow via their maintainers it would probably be tried. the maintainers are probably not oligarch level rich so imagine the pressure on them if needed.
if you believe Russian government would coerce its own citizens, why do you not believe they would coerce foreigners? they have a world class intelligence agency that routinely assassinates regime enemies in foreign countries after all, so why should it be any harder for them?
The former aims to punish and worsen the situation of the other country, the latter aims to reduce the attack vector and improve the situation of the US.