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I wonder if a lot of it has to do with the collectivist nature of the society --- both the former USSR and China are notably communist, and the general expectation is that you help others.

I know that in China, there's plenty of "under the table" IP "sharing" happening amongst tech companies too.

https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=4297

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I’m Russian living in Asia now and I agree with this hypothesis.

Soviet education and propaganda both nurtured collaboration over competition. “Individualsist” was definitely a bad label to have in my Soviet childhood. Egoism was and still is considered one of the worst qualities of all.

I feel that pre-Soviet fables and other lore had similar moral message.

Togetherness and group benefit are definitely valued higher than individual profit, needs of the many outweigh needs of the few and so on.

...which is ironic because the kleptocrats at the top of Russia's economy and politics are all egomanaiacal selfish individualists.

Its no coincidence - in a prisoners dilemma when everyboddy cooperates its easy to get to the top by defecting

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