I agree with everything you say, but how does that tell us exactly how to deal with Putin (your title)??
The technique was later used by the United States on the Western front ~ friend of mine who'd been in the Germany Army as a 15 year old said you had to see it to believe it. From his vantage point in the bottom of a ditch he said the Americans had as many artillery pieces as the Germans had rifles.
The Finns also had the advantage of playing on the home ground, properly dressed, equipped with skis, and later on there were as many as 180,000 German troops on hand (doing lord only knows what).
As part of the "terms" for the cease fire Stalin demanded half of Finland ~ which he got ~ and he wanted the Germans kicked out of Finland ~ which he also got. They were booted North to enter Norway in the Winter .
Still, after defeating both Russia and Germany, Finland survived.
It took the Allies another 50 years to accomplish both tasks!
Finland vs. the Soviet Union:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLvhyfpSwEM
As war between the Soviet Union and Finland broke out, Sweden changed its diplomatic status from “neutral” to “non belligerent” and started supplying Finland with goods including weapons.
In sheer economical terms, the value of these shipments estimated to around half of Finland’s GDP or more on an annual basis.
The Allied supply line to the Soviets (via Murmansk) also played a role.
My own experience with the Russians (from my own family no less): every Russian is part drama queen. If you understand that, a lot of things make sense. On the other hand, they are an extremely tough people when they need to be. Its an interesting combination.
P.S. Sweden were pussies in WWII! "Neutral"?? Way to take a stand, cowards!