On a related note, Al Stewart (best known for “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat”) wrote a wonderful, tragic song about a Russian soldier who had the misfortune to be taken prisoner by the Nazis, but who got away a day later and returned to his unit.
My thoughts regarding Cecil’s comment about the choice to fight for the Soviets or fight for the Nazis - there are plenty of instances of Soviet officers shooting their own troops for failing to fight, or trying to desert, or even just retreating. And the column mentions that the Nazis forced some of the soldiers to fight. That sure sounds to me like a fair situation to be in. Either way, you get shot by your “own” side for refusing.