Agreed - the script writing could have been better. But whoever was the military advisor was right on. They used actual Soviet weaponry and uniforms, including vehicles (T-62, BMP-76, Mi-26 Hind, etc.).
The Soviet military details were perfect.
And you have to admit, it had one of the most scintillating history class lectures ever!
Milius even got the teacher’s description of the Mongol great hunt to his history class at the beginning of the film right on the money!