Actually, I have found it to be easier the past couple of days. Instead of losing all but one tank (and taking several tries to do that) I'm getting it done with half of my platoon intact on the first or second try.
Also...holy crap, the extension is going to be amazing for a lot of people. For me, I guess it will mean a couple more Soviet tank packs. I've already been saving 100 ornaments/canes for the one I thought could fit in my budget...would have hated to get to the end and only have a ton of jingle bells and nothing good to spend them on...but now it looks like I need to save 200 more for two more packs. Three chances at 40% for a 5*...that's looking good to me!