Hm, maybe in your circle people believed the reports, but everyone I know thought US intelligence was full of shit because their track record doesn't warrant trust (WMD, Russiagate, etc.).

I think you misunderstand. It's not about protecting Russia; it's about protecting us. There's the violent war and there's the narrative war, but losing the war doesn't matter if the narrative wins the support of the public. For example, if Americans weren't engaged in the war we could focus on domestic problems (I'm not insinuating anything), but interest in the war directs our attention elsewhere. Therefore, there's an incentive to control the narrative to maintain our focus so we don't riot in the streets over food prices or whatever. This is the most minor example, but I think you get my point.

Every corporate media outlet covers the exact same stories at the exact same time. They don't have "breaking stories" because they don't report on anything controversial. Everything we see is selected for us, and it isn't for our benefit.

This is war and horrific shit happens. Hence, I wish the US, Russia, EU, and Ukrainian leaders would have compromised instead of tossing bombs, but no side budged. It's sick.