Well, when one considers that Stalin is largely responsible for allowing the Germans to rearm and train its armies in secret during the inter-war period; his participation in the dismemberment of Poland; and his imposition of totalitarian rule on the territories "liberated" from the Nazis later on... its hard to have much sympathy...
The Russian people made great sacrifices as a direct result of the misguided policies of its own government. Before, during and after. Hoisted by their own petard, as it were.
Perhaps you want to address your reply to trane250. That is the poster who asked the question you have answered.