Колонка в FT Андрея Панова - лет 15-20 назад коллеги по Ведомостям, а затем консультанта и топ-менеджера в Аэрофлоте. The writer is a former deputy chief executive of Aeroflot Stopping Russia’s war in Ukraine is critically important. And not just for the people of Ukraine. As former deputy CEO of Aeroflot, I know first-hand how destructive this conflict has been for Russia’s economy and reputation. But our business community has been slow to recognise its own role in enabling Putin and his henchmen. This must change, before executives become accomplices in Moscow’s war crimes. On March 5, 10 days after the invasion, I arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, planning to leave Russia for good. For the first time in my life, instead of getting a stamp in my passport, I was invited to a separate room for an interview. Two officers from a division of the Federal Security Service, responsible for the transport industry, had come to question me about my return to Moscow. I had only a small backpack as hand luggage, and told them I was making a short visit to Tel-Aviv, showing them my return ticket for three days’ time. I was terrified. Yet they let me go. In the month that has passed since my departure from Russia, I know of only one top Russian executive who has, like me, left the country and condemned the war. I know two more people who do not plan to return, but they have kept silent and continue to work remotely. In the meantime, Russian missiles and bombs have destroyed Ukrainian cities, thousands of innocent people have died, and millions have left their homes. The scale of human suffering and the extent of the atrocities alone are obvious reasons to stop the war immediately. Yet Russian companies are pursuing business as usual. “Yes, sanctions are bad; yes, talented employees flee; yes, inflation eats up the hard-earned profits, but what can I do?” moans one senior Russian executive. “I cannot change anything.” I want to tell every colleague — those with whom I worked, built projects, or negotiated deals, every senior Russian business person: I know why you are afraid to speak out against the war. I was the same when I was still in Moscow. I know it is impossible to be a top executive and oppose the political regime, and I am not calling for martyrs or political prisoners. But you can retire, you can leave, and even if neither of these are possible, there are still things you can do. You can sabotage the war effort, by delaying or ignoring every deal or contract which supports the military invasion or Russian propaganda. You can educate your subordinates and make clear to them you are against the war. You can ignore Z parades and refuse to send your staff to participate in them, and you can shout loudly about the economic disaster which grows with each new week of conflict. It is not the sanctions that ruin Russian businesses; we are creative and resilient. The oil will still be pumped, the wheat and rye will grow, and Ikea and Zara will eventually return, even if under new brand names. In the long term, the Russian economy will rebound. But right now it is suffering, because of Putin’s war. With every tank destroyed by the Ukrainian soldiers, with every plane shot down by their air defences, with every missile launched, we will move closer towards a depleted wartime economy. Soon civilian industries will be repurposed to build weapons and transport troops, and food producers will be supplying military rations. I know some of you believe what you are being told by the Kremlin and its media. But you are smart — and you do business by being well-informed. Seek out Russian independent media or international news on the internet, on YouTube or via Telegram. Look at the economic data. Look at the photos of ruined cities, destroyed buildings and roads, dead women and children. Understanding the horrors of war is a challenge, but once you know what is going on, the rest is simple. And then act — with all the will and ingenuity that Russian executives are known for. https://www.ft.