

They don’t wait long enough to have their pan heat up before they add their butter or oil.
That’s the real problem there. The oil should smoke a little when you add it, that means the pan is hot enough. You can check by flicking some water in the pan; if the water drops bead up and skate around the pan like they’re on ice (Leidenfrost effect), it’s ready. If it immediately fizzles and evaporates it’s not hot enough.

I think it’s fair to say that Russia has since acted stupidly and continues to act stupidly. The meat-grinder approach may have worked with an overwhelming man power advantage and at least some training. Instead they’ve just hemorrhaged men, equipment, and morale by just throwing untrained and under-equipped soldiers at the front line.