In fact, Russian 'intellectual elite' lives a cross-border life for decades. Markets for their work are mostly abroad, their cultural interests are abroad as well, Russia is just a sort of a big 'commuter town' or 'sleeping block' in Russian terms. They are not tied to Russia never financially not emotionally, and for all practical purposes can be treated as emigrants except they are still Russian tax residents (you will be surprised, but Russia has an exceptionally light taxation for self-employed).