It's not a relatively minor social issue like in the US. Alcoholism in Russia is so bad it significantly brings down Russia's overall life expectancy. In Russian society even soldiers on the frontlines are getting wasted on vodka.

Why is alcoholism such a problem for Russians? Lack of impulse control?

Why is alcoholism so rampant in Russian society. Even their soldiers get drunk on the front lines.

It's so bad it effects their national life expectancy. Don't Russians value their lives?