Remember Putin's move against militants in Moscow? They were all knocked out by a chemical agent. Hostages and militants alike. Another strike like that is on the cards now it moves in the urban phase of the campaign.
War is armed robbery on a national scale. No need for physically involvement if you can do it through the banks and parliamentary degrees. Robin Hood politics rob the oligarchs and dole out the proceeds as foreign aid.
UN and war. Two smaller countries go to war it will be resolved in the UN. A small country goes to war with a bigger country, the conflict won't be resolved in the UN. Two superpowers go to war the UN will disappear. The mistake was to let Russia inherit the Veto from the Soviet Union.
Making cities into extermination camps. Separate civilians from the armed services and in time they will blame their army to continue the battle. They want to stop the successful raid and ambush tactics of the Ukrainian army. In that light I see the Russian offer to put the civilians on transport to Russia as refugees. 5 Star concentration camp in Russia or an extermination camp in the Ukraine.
Observers only on top of apartment building. (Which can be done by high-tech wizardry). Yes, I expect the Soviets to take out prominent apartment buildings. I don't think we have to teach the combatants here anything about urban warfare.
You can order a unit to embark at any time and it will go to the last waypoint of the transportation unit. It is useful to know that they will embark during a pause of the transportation unit. I will try that out.
Russia is not the only one restoring old Empires. The map of eastern Europe is going to undergo a major overhaul. I think they are not going to make any illusions about NATO.
You don't have time to waste. 2men scout unit in the half tracks the remainder of the squad rides on a Panzer IV. That is how you do your recon. Analyze the terrain where you put your TRPs. The Soviet tanks have a better gun and better armor than your Panzer IVs. Capture as much terrain as you can.