I watched a tv prog a year or so back re countries like Russia, China and so on. The assertion was such countries look on human life and its value (including their own citizens) in a completely different way to most countries in the west. A further assertion was made that many citizens within these countries also hold these views i.e. it doesn't just come from those on power. The underlying point was these countries put survival and dominance of their state above all else, including the life of their own citizens. In short, people are looked on as disposable with little/no importance or value afforded to the individual.
We see this with the current conflict, almost anyone and everyone being called up / drafted or whatever the phrase is to ensure success in battle.
of course any country would want to succeed in battle, I wasn't inferring there's anything wrong with that.
