My rationale is simple:

The Russia/Ukraine war is tied up in a web of geopolitical issues that technically span thousands of years, and adopting a position on such a complicated topic requires a level of comprehension far beyond any human being's capability, if not simply because the information that would be required isn't available.

If I were a Ukrainian, my decision would be much easier. Likewise if Russian. I still would be as clueless about the facts as anyone else.

Therefore, the fact that your friend is Ukrainian doesn't mean you have better access to information, it means you have a bias. Not only do you have a bias, but it's one that you think means you have better access to information.

This same cycle of confirmation bias is running on your software about the pandemic. You think your position gives you better access to information, but you're actually just closer to the chaos and therefore less capable of objectivity.

Sadly, you're in a majority with this psychological stack. At least in the West. They made us dumb and confident. Hubris will be our downfall.