If you're falling victim to Easy 8 spam, the E8s aren't the problem.
Anyway, recent patch notes indicate that Relic is consciously trying to move away from the "Allied advantage early game, Axis advantage late game" model. Soviet late game generally has been fairly competitive with Ostheer (save for some patches making the balance Wonky), really it's only US Forces that have traditionally had weak late game.
US was crazily strong in late game in COH1.
Skill payoff when your terminator Rifles own3d everything.