First, I think we need to remind some posters that we are talking about Alpha 2 Global, not Europe rules. What Germany can and cannot do in Europe is vastly different than what they can and cannot do in Alpha 2 Global.
First:
The unit compositions are significantly, if not vastly, different between the two boards.
Second:
The unit locations are VERY significantly, if not vastly, different between the two boards.
Third:
OOB England cannot scramble to save it’s fleet, but in Alpha 2 it (and Italy) can. That’s a HUGE shift in what can and cannot be done.
Fourth:
Russia has more land power in Alpha 2 than it does in OOB.
Point is, one cannot use the rules from the box to justify how balanced or unbalanced a strategy in Alpha 2 is, or if Alpha 2 is balanced at not. If one defines a “seperate” game as Anniversary Edition and Global 1940, then one must state that Global 1940 and Alpha 2 are also “seperate” games.
That said, I find it quite easy, almost routine, to have Russia keep the Germans out. The only time I have had issues keeping the Germans out or taking Russia is when Germany gives up the Atlantic and goes all in after Moscow. (Japan as well, ignoring the Pacific and letting their fleet get beat back to SZ 6 so they can dump everything they have into Russia as well. Yes, that means almost completely ignoring China and India too, necessary evil.)
The problem with that is, you are trading Japan for Russia AND you STILL didn’t get a VC win because England is now an impenetrable fortress!
It goes without saying that if Japan is putting 40-60 IPC a round into Russia, they are also not getting a VC win.
One last point, keep in mind it is not what victory cities you control, it is on what map you control them! Japan could have London, Washington, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Calcutta and Sydney, but they have not won!