Like a year or so ago, in many conversations about WW2 someone would give the opinion that the Soviets single-handedly defeated the Nazis. The allies and Western front were a completely unnecessary side show.

Somehow folks never make the connection that those T-34s were being fueled by trucks made in Detroit.

Did we benefit? Yeah. Just like they benefited from us, but we weren't doing it for them either.

It was just a mutual "enemy of my enemy" situation. And those things don't last.

Anyone loving Putin because of what Stalin and the Red Army did 7 decades ago is sick in the head several times over.

Ukraine (including Crimea) is not the Russian homeland and no number of referendums or declarations will make Russians feel Crimea is worth getting conscripted, trained for 3 days, and shipped to the front lines.

On the other hand, Ukraine IS fighting for its homeland and has great morale despite all the events.

...
1) What do they think would have been the outcome if they didn't 'pay the price'?

2) How many Russians died because of Hitler's actions vs Stalin's actions.

3) If Germany defeated Russia in 1942, do they think 'Russia' would still exist?

4) If, instead, Germany focused solely on the Western Allies and won, how long would Russia last after that?

5) Does Russia have any culpability due to its initial non-aggression pact with Germany?

I have more, but why bother...

Thank you for posting I get upset because I’m Slav descent and I remember my great aunts crying about civil war after WW1 Russian rapist then Ukraine.