This really unfortunate state of affairs means that legitimate complaints against the USA can be brushed off as merely Russian agitprop, which simply enables further atrocities to be committed, unquestioned by the civilian populace who are the only ones with the real power to do anything about it.

We must avoid the "blame Russia" response and be honest about our own states' vast and heinous crimes against humanity - lest, indeed, we become Russia.

Well, US is probably the most aggressive country on this planet, but it's more than that: there's also its complete denial of any responsibility, from Hague Invasion Act to decorating people responsible for shooting down airliners and droning random kids.