I've been studying the subject a lot lately. It's not particularly easy to just 'switch sides' physically. Even the handful of nations who will sell citizenship (e.g., Turkey) do want upwards of half a million $$$.
You're studying something irrelevant. You don't need citizenship to pursue freedom in the
dictatorship country of your choice. Russia will happily hand out permanent resident permits to pretty much anyone, all you need is a job.
And probably some Russian? I mean, sound like an obstacle to many.
BTW not a "handful" of countries sell citizenships... US, Australia, Canada, UK, Spain, Italy... all have golden visa. I am not going to research, but with around a million USD you can probably be welcome anywhere. And the funny news is that the money does not always have to be yours: think Entrepreneurs visa, just for raising half a mill or so.
Anyway, the point is true and we are still waiting for news of BA Decker's application for RF citizenship and be.open's frontline pictures.