…until Hitler backstabbed Stalin by starting operation Barbarossa…

Fun fact: hitler’s generals wanted to invade the Middle East instead. They needed the oil to keep up wartime production.

Unlike the Soviet’s, they were armed with ww1 era castoffs, and the terrain was favorable.

The only reason that they invaded Russia instead is that hitler absolutely despised Stalin.

It’s also- probably- the reason the war ended when it did. While it was devastating for the soviets, there wasn’t much real gain by the Germans.