At the beginning of the game Russia is in a poor situation. Germany is a large threat from the west, and Japan can also be a problem from the east. Russia's main goal should be to hang on to its territory (especially Karelia) long enough for the U.S. and U.K. to bring in reinforcements, or force Germany to divert its forces elsewhere.

Russia's main threat at the beginning of the game is Germany. Its main job should be to stop the German advance long enough for the U.S. and the U.K. to start an offensive against Germany. However, if Japan is an experienced player, they can usually stop the U.S. in the Pacific, while at the same time attacking Russia from the rear and gaining valuable i.p.c.'s. To stop this threat, Russia should attack first. Even if Japan fails to attack in Asia, Russia can earn enough i.p.c.'s to begin an invasion of Germany.

Russia should buy all infantry. Then it should attack Manchuria with 3 infantry from Yakut and 1 armor and 1 infantry from the Soviet Far East. The fighter from Moscow should also be included in this attack. You can expect to lose a couple of your infantry in the attack. The fighter should land in the Soviet Far East. Move four infantry from Moscow into the Caucasus in your non-combat move. Also move the infantry in Evenki Nat'l Okrug into Yakut. End your turn by placing the new infantry in Karelia and Moscow. After this you can usually take Kwangtung with some help from the U.S. Britain and the U.S. will probably take French Indo-China Burma, lowering Japan down to 16 i.p.c.'s a turn (if it doesn't take any territories). By this time Russia will have 30 i.p.c.'s a turn, enabling it to attack Germany (I suggest Finland first, because the Germans have a hard time capturing it back).

Russia shouldn't build a big navy. Leave that to the other two Allied powers. The transport can help ferry British troops to Africa, and the sub can attack the German subs, but a new navy is to costly for Russia to build.