[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Not a problem. I am rather unemotional about the whole thing. I do like assertions to be backed up with citations / references / URLs. And also I think Megan to be earnest in her stances.

There is one thing in the whole hot mess about which I am certain. Google / YouTube is raking it in with both hands and from all sides, as the "click" battles go on.

[MeganC]

Let me just share on how I tend to assess news:

If Russia’s government claims sudden good news in the war I immediately doubt it until it is further validated.

If Ukraine’s government claims sudden good news in the war I immediately doubt it until it is further validated.

If Russia’s government claims sudden BAD news in the war I immediately doubt it until it is further validated.

If Ukraine’s government claims sudden bad news in the war I immediately doubt it until it is further validated.

HOWEVER, when the Russian propagandists concede bad news for Russia it tends to be consistently and mostly true. This much I will give them credit for.

Ukraine allows reporting by foreign media so bad news in the Ukrainian media is usually and promptly verified or debunked by foreign media. Sometimes the Ukrainians overstate their losses.