[GSlob]

Starting in the reverse order: when corruption is the way of life, it cannot be crushed short of complete transculturation of the whole population. And transculturations are both rare and exceedingly bloody affairs.
Secondly, even two- and three-star generals occupy their places in hierarchy of social positions, and - per late Zinoviev - get and grab in rough accordance to it. When the equilibrium gets disturbed too much, they get brought in line. Even a demigod should not be taking at the level of a full deity.
Or it could be a demonstration project needing scapegoats, in which case arbitrarily finding such at sufficiently [but not too much] exalted ranks is the old recipe.

[Romanov]

I notice you frequently reference Zinoviev as being "late" - he's been "late" for quite some time and hasn't been "followed" by anyone for ages.

Your post shows the problem in Russia, or should I say with "Russian emigres" -persistent cynicism - while cynicism is healthy in limited doses, there can be no forward progess as long as people continue to see bad even in positive events.

Of course, I'm not surprised about the problems with corruption, etc., in the Slavic world - by why stop at Zinoviev, let's lay this back where it belongs - at the feet of the Mongol horde which infused bribery and tribute into the Slavic peoples.