What I discover, especially in temagames is, that soviets 65% of games go penals into guards into t34/85. And it seems a cheesy tactic, to make a blob (lets say 3 penals), that is very hard to stop in early-mid game. Even an mg cant stand against that.
As ost you have to micro the hell out of your units, to stop it. And finally you see yourself behind fuel advantage, so the first tanks are mostly seen on soviets side.
HMG in green cover won't have any problems against a blob like that.
Luckily, both axis factions can put down sandbags.
If you've been flanked, then you've been outmaneuvered any even cons would suffice.