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Re:Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs? by throwaway290 on Friday February 25, 2022 @09:19AM (#30467536)
As of now, it appears to be illegal for US businesses to transact with any resident (does not matter if they are peaceful or pro-Ukraine) of any of the annexed or separatist-claimed territories in Ukraine, so you might want to check that ASAP.

If Russia is disconnected from Swift but is still legal to do business with, you could find a way that does not involve Swift. If Russia as a whole falls under the same restriction (consider the implications), then paying your devs will become illegal and any advice on that would be advice on how to violate the law. Consult lawyer.

Re:Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs? by throwaway290 on Friday February 25, 2022 @12:32PM (#30469745)
Upwork also currently writes that they stopped working with people in affected areas, even though the Executive Order does not seem to be that wide (it lists particular banks, not all of them, as well as specific organizations and individuals). I suspect that they may be erring on the side of caution and stopping everything first while they do the ultimately correct thing (consulting their lawyers).

These developments affect me personally, but I can understand the intent. In fact, I would understand the potential blocking of Russia more so than restricting people in occupied areas, who may well be victims for the most part. (Luckily, though, I don't have a family to support, unlike some others.)