*** SPOILER FOR MOBILE DEFENSE ***
Just did a count and the Russians get 41 AFVs: 19 vet, 16 crack, and 6 elite.
The Germans get 16 AFVs: 3 vet, 13 crack, no elite, with seven of the 16 vehicles being on fixed carriages with paper thin armor.
I think you are right - the Russians could lose if the commander for some reason barely moved forward, but against an average or better opponent I can't imagine any kind of armor fighting skill that would save you.