IMPHO, I think that the removal of Russians contributors from the kernel contributor list is a big error.

Because it is all about politics. And the move let non-technical decisions step into this project.

Is it ok for you, Linus Torvalds, that politics can decide to ban also Chinese, Israeli, Iranian, European contributors? Or any non-USA developer?

Pesky developers or ones sneaking malicious code in need to be banned because their "contribs" would make the kernel worse (in a general sense).

Are Russian, Iranian or Israeliani devs making the kernel any better? Is the quality of their contribs in line with expectations?

Can those contributors harm or negatively affect the project?

Sorry, Linus. While still being a hero for me, that was a bad decision for what my opinion matters.