It is interesting to watch a fiercely fought battle over a city that is in ruin. There is more rubble than buildings. Normality of life has stopped. Few families have been left intact. Childhoods have been destroyed as the children become spies and messengers.
Fear is a normal condition here.
It is also difficult to root for either side. On the one hand we have the Germans, Hitler and unspeakable atrocities. However on the other side is Stalin and Khrushchev not exactly an inspirational group. Stalin is responsible for the cruel deaths of millions, for banning religion, and the dehumanizing of nations. Danilov is a true Soviet.