Why Brezhnev leads the Soviet side

Why use Brezhnev rather than a Soviet leader thought more likely to start the war?

The scenario is fixed in 1980, when Brezhnev was in office. His role is adapted to the hypothetical crisis, so it does not exactly reproduce his historical personality.

An objection from the earlier live discussion suggested that another Soviet leader would be more likely to initiate the conflict. The 1980 setting determines who holds office. Brezhnev's actions are then adapted to the scenario, with only a broad correspondence to his historical character.