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My recollection of cold war briefings (& I joined in '76) is that the reds were poorly trained and equipped but had weight of numbers and nasty weapons on their side. In those days the reds were the USSR which included many countries now on our side (e.g. Poland or Czechoslovakia) and other countries which are, if not on our side, at least ambivalent (such as the 'stans). Russia alone is a smaller beast than it was but with the same old weaknesses.In the dark days of the cold war and RAFG the Russian military capability was perceived as deeply worrying, many many exercises over many years where conducted to counter the supposed threat. They had apparently the potential, despite the Harriers, to roll through western Europe in short order. The Russian performance in the Ukraine war, so far, shows a different beast. Apparently tactically inept, badly trained, badly led and under supplied troops faltering in acheiving their objectives. All this coupled with a belief that they would win quickly and be welcomed by cheering crowds throwing flowers at the "liberating" troops. I know we only read the western side of the story but even given that pinch of salt it appears that Ivan has badly miscalculated. The showing of ship placement on state TV and it's part in the plan just highlights the seeming arrogance of the Russian forces.