Eleven Russian developers have been removed from the list of key contributors to Linux.

The Linux operating system is developed by programmers from around the globe, with the vast majority doing so in their spare time. Key developers decide which community contributions can be integrated into the code. The changes to the list were made by American programmer Greg Kroah-Hartman, who is responsible for maintaining the stable version of the OS kernel. He explained the situation as being due to "compliance requirements" – procedures for monitoring companies' adherence to legislation.

Ten out of eleven remote developers have their email addresses registered under the .ru domain. The eleventh works for the Russian microprocessor developer "Baikal Electronics." The code they contributed to the kernel remains in the system, and other citizens of Russia are still listed as developers for both the kernel and the entire Linux OS. It remains unclear whether new contributions from remote programmers will be accepted.

The creator of the operating system, Linus Torvalds, on October 23 hinted that the decision made is linked to the sanctions imposed against Russia. According to him, such recommendations were received from legal advisors. "Various compliance requirements" apply not only to the United States. If you are still unaware of the sanctions against Russia, you might want to read the news. And by "news," I do not mean spam funded by the Russian government," he stated.

He refused to reverse the decision to remove the developers: "Please use the goo you call brains. I am Finnish. Did you really think I would support Russian aggression? Obviously… you do not know history."

One of the remote Russian programmers, Sergey Semyin, commented on his exclusion from the developers' mailing list. He stated that he would not appeal the decision but called it harmful to the community: "No gratitude, no recognition for developers for all these years of dedicated work… Regardless of the reason for the situation, don't we deserve more?"

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