See, you just demonstrated it yourself: you are arguing that Russia isn’t guilty, because Ukraine did something that make Russia angry. The crucial part is not what you are arguing about, it’s your assumption that Russia has any rights to countries outside its borders.

US war crimes are a thing, sure. But Russia just demonstrated a whole another level, as proven by genocide in Bucha, Mariupol and many others, as well as mass kidnappings and relocations to Siberia. US invaded countries, while Russia is literal Nazis.

As for why Russia was manufacturing the conflict: it’s obvious, it’s an attempt to grab land. They succeeded with Crimea.