OK since I don't have any real information about this photo I'm will to accept it is not an American snocat but didn't the Russian's use a red star? Granted this is a black and white photo, but in black & white a red start would appear to be medium grey, while a white star appears to be very light grey or white (which is the way I see it).
Also, I'm not convinced the man in the photo is wearing a military uniforum at all. It might be but I don't see any overt military emblems or markings. Just 2 white stripes, one on each arm.
Also, to the right of the man is another piece of equipment with the numerals 925. If it were Russian, would those be in cryllic?
Again, I don't know, I'm just curious and skeptical. I know of no family member who spent any time in the vicinity of the USSR military during the war so I have to question how I came into possession of the photo if it is a piece of Russian equipment.