[raketenjagdpanzer]

I think, from the outset in China it was a war of extermination: the Soviets were out to completely extirpate every Chinese citizen within range.

In the West, they didn't pull the nuclear trigger until the USSR was invaded; from late '95 to late '96 even when they were losing and NATO was faltering (the "stab in the back" from Italy, just as one example) the Soviets weren't willing to cross "that line".

Once the TDM had gone down though I'd wager a shoot on sight/no surrenders accepted general feeling would prevail at least among US troops.

After that, from '99 through early 2000, though, I can see it becoming a "gentleman's war", possibly. So...up, down, then back up again, then back down again (after the destruction of the 5th). NATO and the USSR just want to disentangle themselves from one another - albeit in the best strategic position available - and be done with it.

But...yeah, I can't see a lot of quarter accepted from '97 to '99.