The short answer (just trying to give perspective in a friendly manner) is that Su-85s suck... terribly. They're super bad.
Well managed conscripts dominate early game, giving Soviet a considerable map-control advantage which can then be leveraged for either a fast medium tank (not super popular or safe) or build up a big fuel bank for T34/85s or Is2s. Vet 3 cons are good enough against anything that isn't Obers (and maybe falls) to merit their cost and the investment in them early on. Plus, late game you need them around for AT nades.
That's not to say that T1 is bad - flamer M3 is super good. I'd sometimes like 1 squad of penals around, but mostly on urban maps where their flamethrower will get a ton of use.
Anyways, you need to learn to love Cons as a Soviet player

they're good.