In games where the Axis is given a bid the Russians can begin to be in trouble by turn 5 or 6. This is because its usually at point that the Germans have enough quantity of troops on the ground to begin a walkthrough the Cauc strategy via Ukr in order to back Russia out of Karelia. If they can do this and have Japan at the same time take and hold Novo then its lights out for Russia sooner or later. The best tactic is to strafe Moscow with the Germans and then finish them off with the Japs.