My impression is that the average Soviet soldier was little different than soldiers elsewhere: motivated by a combination of patriotism, loyalty to immediate comrades in arms, a sense of internal discipline and a fear of external discipline. They grumbled and were exploited. They were also rational in their beliefs that their enemy would not welcome their surrender with humane treatment as a top priority - a belief that was more and more justified by experience.

The Soviets and the Nazis were engaged in total war. Motivated by racism, the Nazis tended to favor extermination of 'the Slavs' over winning their hearts and minds.

As for the 'Western Way' it has increasingly become reliant on mercenaries and proxies. There is a scale upon which the lives of the human resources at its disposal are valued. Then again, that's the nature of all militaries.