Surprised this hasn't been mentioned

Way back on 06/22/1941 Hitler invaded Russia. Cost him dearly in the long run.

Yeah, his major screw up. TG

Don’t poke the bear.

Mobilizing a Fighting war on enemy's soil with 3 fronts then 4 fronts. Then mother nature gave them a very bad winter that ended in spring floods. No means to supply his troops with the winter gear and food needed. Russians left nothing behind to aid Germans.

Watch the movie "Battle of Kursk"

The Battle of Kursk occurred in July 1943 around the Soviet city of Kursk in western Russia, as Germany launched Operation Citadel, Hitler’s response to his devastating defeat by the Soviet Red Army at the Battle of Stalingrad. The battle was Germany’s last chance to regain dominance on the Eastern Front during World War II and would be their final blitzkrieg offensive.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-kursk

The Russian soldiers had no choice but to fight. Death in front...and behind. The last barbarians. They're still in that same situation; still a backwards culture. Smoke and mirrors to keep it a secret.

Yep. Die fighting, or die by your own brothers if you run. They had no problem killing their own.