A very western point of view to say this RNeves :) . the Challenges of the War in the East and West were very different.. I do prefer the East side War due to Dogfighting "sport" Pure open hunt.
WW2 fighter aces in the Russian side had a very different way to fight and knowledge the kills and also how Russian thanks their own Aces.. .. know the differences you will understand better.
Great read about Russian Aces back from the Spanish War to Russia.