[Tax-chick]

where world wars start—and cost principally Jewish and Serbian lives.

World Wars cost principally Jewish and Serbian lives? 22 million dead Russians would probably dispute that contention, if they could.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

[Bokababe]

"22 million dead Russians would probably dispute that contention, if they could."

Yes. However, because Russia played on both sides -- first Germany's, then the Allied side -- no one sees them as "victims".

And because Russia sees itself as "the victor of WWII", they don't even really see themselves as "victims" or promote that idea.

The thinking today is quite different than the thinking of times past. In earlier times, those who were killed while battling for their country used to be seen as "dead heroes for the cause". Today, identical events would produce "victims".