What I have found effective is using conscripts to guard control points then reinforcing them with AT units, while i slowly but surely build up an economy. Sometimes a MG42, or light vehicle usually pops up quite early, and I will send 3 squads of conscripts to attack an entirely different part of the map, which makes the AI fall back to wherever the attack is.
Once I upgraded my conscripts with rifles they can be be quite useful in distracting the AI while i continue building up. AT guns, mortars, MG bunkers around key chokepoints basically allows me to control half the map if placed in good spots.
Using the Soviet rocket vehicle to soften up positions before attacking is a good idea. With the propaganda doctrine, you eventually get the God of War ability. I find that sometimes a massive force with conscripts, shock troops, and T-34s will get pushed back especially if the AI is using a defensive doctrine. After my initial attack I'll pull back, and then use the God of War ability, as close to their base as possible which bombards the map intensely for a good period of time. After that just get your tanks fixed up, and soldiers back to strength and attack again.
One thing I've noticed is that I might dominate the map, continuously pushing back the Germans, but after I win, my forces suffer a hell of alot more losses. Definitely has a eastern front feel to it all
