Perhaps Russia, as a society, is too corrupt to actually develop AGI. Build some Potemkin facade, let the Big-Guy-in-Charge believe he controls AI superpowers, then discreetly dissipate to warmer climates. If Big-Guy-in-Charge decides to use AI superpowers to take over the world, and starts noticing that reality doesn't quite match his understanding, quietly dispose of respective Big-Guy-in-Charge. Lather, rinse, repeat.