The Mercedes drivers were running together on track as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz closed in.
With Hamilton on fresher tyres and potentially faster than one-stopper Russell, the team agreed to a request from the seven-time world champion to get him in front, leaving Russell to fend off Sainz for as long as he could.
Russell initially queried the decision, suggesting that the team wait until the last lap, but he complied after being told it was an instruction.
He in turn asked for Hamilton to help his defence by giving him DRS, noting that it was the "least he can do" after "he pushed me off the track earlier".
Hamilton agreed to help, but nevertheless, Sainz soon got past. However, the Spaniard was unable to do anything about Hamilton.
After the flag, Russell said he had no issue with the team orders as the intention was to boost the overall result for Mercedes.
"Yeah, of course," he said when asked by Autosport if he accepted the place swap. "You use the radio as a bit of a release valve because, it's so hot in the car, it's a long race, you're there pushing for an hour and a half, you're fighting every inch.
"The main goal is to finish P2 in the constructors' championship. The drivers' championship for me is out of the window totally, Lewis is in a good place to fight for a good position.
"But the goal is just to finish ahead of Ferrari this season, keep on working for next year, so yeah, no issues on my side."
Source: Autosport