This is not something that I have studied (thus the “I think”), but Stalin did “meat wave” attacks, long before Putin. It worked, but at terrible cost. I think he grabbed everyone he could, but mostly men, I would imagine. Maybe women volunteered, but weren't drafted. I do know they had them in the frontlines. You actually see them, in old footage.

I do know that he had women combat pilots. I think there was a movie, made about that.

I will definitely look into this, thank you very much.