The more important soil-drill/analysis experiment was fine, that is often confused with the soil punch experiment. The paper claims that the Venera-14 punch was OK, the arm went over the lens cap, but the punch still penetrated the soil.
Thanks for the comments. I'm working on a book now. Also was invited to write a paper refuting the claim of living creatures in the Venera photos. Those features are explained by unusual pulse-position modulation system.