This sounds like a good opportunity for Russian state to embrace linux if they haven't already? Munich looks like a good example of successful move out of Microsoft ecosystem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiMux).

When this happens there will be some American politicians claiming that Linux is communism, that open source is socialism and stupid things like "American pay for software" and other non-sense.

How do mitigate damage this causes before it gains any traction?

No concern. All the multi-national corps use it. Even Microsoft.

I believe this regime won't miss a chance to pwn the Russians for their own money, so they will try to parasite on a patriotic proprietary system pushed by taxes or laws.

Makes sense from one aspect, which is NSA and Microsoft sharing information, such as undisclosed bugs or security flaws with each other[1].

[1] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-06-14/u-s-agenci...

Talks on replacing Microsoft software were started back in 90s so before Putin. Also, the article is about Moscow city, so the proper title would be "Sergey Sobyanin Is Replacing Microsoft Programs..." if westerners are so fond of mentioning names of Russian officials.

Vladimir Putin is a far more politically-newsworthy name though.

I hope Brazil government one day will do the same. We had in the past a great federal investment in free software, but now most of the commitment was abandoned.

I have to imagine a couple of things are going on here. 1. "Buy it local", always a popular political stance, seems to be part of an anti-foreign movement globally. 2. More opportunities for kickbacks and lobbying now that the market is opened up to local bidders. 3. But I have to imagine the real motivation here is that Russia foresees a future where trade with the rest of the West is unreliable or shut down altogether. Whether through sanctions or a doubling down on their annexation projects.