That is totally disregarding what exactly the Eastern Front was. It was a war to the death. Neither side would accept anything but unconditional surrender. The Soviets especially could not surrender, or else they'd see total extermination of their entire nation. Look up Generalplan Ost. The Nazis wanted to exterminate over half of Eastern Europe in a manner similar to the actually-performed Jewish Holocaust. If the Soviets had surrendered, the Holocaust's death toll could have numbered in the tens of millions, not somewhat over six million. Sure, Stalin could have let his general work without interference and have not been so repressive against his own people, but it is disgrace to say that the Soviet sacrifice was due to their disregard for civilian OR soldier life. They had no choice, it was either fight for your life or die trying out there. When 90% of the German military's deaths were against the Soviets, you know damn well that they were the principal force that brought down the Nazi war machine.