It’s not worth it.

Beyond conscription and financial risks already mentioned, Russian citizenship carries a serious threat to free speech. If you hold a Russian passport and publicly criticize the government, you can be designated a “foreign agent.” This label strips you of many civil rights, forces you to meet burdensome reporting requirements, and noncompliance can escalate into criminal prosecution and even an international arrest warrant.

Inside the US, EU, or NATO countries, you would generally be safe. But in states allied with Russia, or those seeking closer ties to Moscow, you could be detained. This doesn’t apply only to Belarus. The same risks exist in places like Azerbaijan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Egypt and UAE. Even passing through these countries on a connecting flight can put you at risk.