Well, history until now has favored revolutions over electoral campaigns. Should the socialists get elected into power, what would guarantee that the reactionaries do not interfere and overthrow you? (I have Chile's Allende in mind here, or Jan 6th). It doesn't matter how socialists get to power really, be it through elections or revolution, the point is that it is imperative and inevitable that they need to consolidate their power or else no socialist project can outlast them.
The USSR achieved quite a lot, but I don't think they achieved socialism period
Socialism is by definition a transitional period between capitalism and communism, so in that sense they did achieve it. The whole point is to gradually transition into communism without disrupting citizens' livelihood.