These changes do not give a real role for conscripts. They will remain needed in the number of one squad to throw AT grenades. And we will continue to pretend that the conscripts are useful, and people to console themselves with the fact that this 7-person change is a buff. And the USSR has no real alternatives except Penals and Shock Troops if they want to win and not to throw an opponent easy experience.
these changes REINFORCE their existing role that they were not meeting. they are not supposed to be usf riflemen, they are something else. they are support. a 7 man con squad will be able to fully recrew an mg or pak or mortar without losing a squad, that alone is HUGE. wiping an mg42 and instantly have a 6 man squad on it? additionally they will reinforce for cheaper. that shouldnt need additional explanation... you want the 8upgrade to remake the conscript, thats not what its doing. its making them better at what they are supposed to do. they will defend longer and reinforce cheaper and merge more efficiently. they are bodies to mold into what you need on the battlefield. they will keep your fighting infantry on the field, they will build you sandbags, deny you cover, snare you tanks. all the things they do now, but with less bleed and more firepower. im not sure what you are against here.
cons are supposed to always be useful no matter what you use them to support- and thats the key here, THEY are the support, not the other units. they are supposed to be the heart of your army, but not the star. they make everything else shine.