War is great for ratings. And for the companies that own the media.
Media has always muddied the diplomatic waters for War, whether it was to serve their sources that would make money or ain political power off war, or serve their publishing empires by winning the "scoop" game.
Plus, they can use their fake outrage to make Biden look bad again.

Currently, Russia is playing a game, and using the Media to influence it's opponents moves. Putin wants a buffer between his empire and the West, but he really isn't in as strong a position as he has to pretend to be, and he's wagering on public opinion engineering to gain an advantage, both in Ukraine and with the justifiably anti-war movement.

He wants the West to make the first mistake.
On edit - what does the Ukrainian policy makers and intelligence want? Follow their lead, not the breathless singing of media outlets...

Haele