The Soviet version of the SKS shown here has more similarity to the Romanian Type 56 than to the East German Karabiner S, apart from its distinct markings. The Karabiner S, on the other hand ...

Millions of Soviet rifles were made during the war, and it remained the main small arm of the largest mobilized army in history with some 17.4 million being manufactured from 1941 to 1945.

An American veteran fighting in Ukraine said soldiers in his unit prefer to use Soviet-era rifles over modern ones because it's easier to find ammunition, including by taking it from the Russians.