I don't think Yandex invaded Ukraine, or murdered civilians.
Probably most people at Yandex are suffering along with the people of Ukraine. Much less, of course, but they, among Russians, probably are the least approving of the invasion. Russia is a dictatorship, and what Yandex employees think makes no difference.
So, sending them money would be a kind of violation of trust. But using their code, or even improving it, is ethically unimpeachable.
By the numbers, Russia succeeds in causing less net harm than Exxon or Cargill, however hard it is trying.
This is not another war between two powers. Yandex is heavily involved into their E-Government processes, and right now almost fully controlled by the government. There are no 100% private company in that country anymore.
Supporting their open source projects, you giving Russians away free hours of testing, development.
Don't compare open aggression to eliminate nation of the biggest country by territory in Europe to a company that run for profit. And you use product of Exxon directly on indirectly. Up until last 10 years no one even consider evil. They considered a company that help to run the country as energy is crucial for any economy.
I made no statement about Yandex having anything to do with the invasion, causing anyone harm, or questioning the morality of people interacting with them. I made a statement of fact, that they are a Russian company, in response to a question asking why they were being called Russian.
Probably most people at Yandex are suffering along with the people of Ukraine. Much less, of course, but they, among Russians, probably are the least approving of the invasion. Russia is a dictatorship, and what Yandex employees think makes no difference.
So, sending them money would be a kind of violation of trust. But using their code, or even improving it, is ethically unimpeachable.
By the numbers, Russia succeeds in causing less net harm than Exxon or Cargill, however hard it is trying.