This is also relevant for understanding the thinking of Russia. Although the Soviet Union eventually won the war, the effects were overwhelming and catastrophic to the nation. Somewhere around 20-30 million died, something like 100x the number of US people who died in the war. And though the war ended in Germany, it was primarily fought in the USSR, with no shortage of horrible acts by the German occupiers, and the nation was in ruins afterward. These memories lived (and still live) and affect decisions and thoughts still, and are not always appreciated in this country.
E.g. During the Cold War the Russian army was built for offense, with emphasis on armored vehicles to take the fight elsewhere. From the USA, it may have seemed like the Russians were looking to attack and were a threat, but from the Russian point of view, it was mainly that, given the memories of the leaders at the time, the Russians were EXTREMELY determined that, if there were another war, it would NOT be fought in Russia, and was not based in a threatening attitude. Russian concerns about NATO moving into Ukraine hit the same nerves.