Not sure why you're getting downvoted: just because ProtonMail allegedly refused to cooperate with Russia, it doesn't mean they must act similarly when the request comes from a nation that can leverege more diplomatic pressure.

Yes, but if Russia can't crack it, and needs to go the diplomatic route, that's a good attribute for your privacy software to have regardless of where you live.

Protonmail threads on HN are always highly censored.

They are in Switzerland and Swiss judges are pretty independent.

The thing is, it’s different from, let’s say, them blocking LinkedIn. VPN won’t solve for any Russian mail service.