"This is 2023, not 1943. I would expect at least some firefights breaking out between retreating troops and the kommisars and zampolits who opened fire on them for moving back."
Given the state of the Russian military's training, I wouldn't be surprised if they were just throwing their weapons down and running as fast as they could.
Also, given the state of the Russian military's supply capabilities, it might be that the fleeing troops simply don't have ammunition, weapons, or either.
And, by 1943, the Red Army had gone a LONG way toward moving post the slaughter festivals of the early days of the war. Troops were finally, more and more, being competently led, trained, and equipped.
The Red Army of 1943 would absolutely *expletive deleted*ing DESTROY the Russian army of 2023 even more comprehensively than what the Ukrainians are doing right now.
