AFAIK, russians used modern NATO style kit (thanks to Germans, who advised in Russian army modernization), and with much better personal protection.
Ukrainians at the time were stuck with old Sovblock stuff (those horrible rubber tourniquets and WW2 style gauze packs). Their supply chain was in such a shambles in winter 2014/2015 that CF had to donate them winter clothing from storage (pre cadpat) so they don't look like "partisans" in the trenches.
Now of course they are well supplied and equipped thanks to US aid.
We might be talking about different conflicts, at least as far as the Afghan campaign. I'm referring to the 80's Soviet era Afghan campaign.