What Russians See in the News: A War over Western Plans to Subjugate Them

I'm reading Stephen Kotkin's book "Stalin - paradoxes of power". I just read the section set the mid to late 1920s. Guess what? One of the many dirty tricks the communist party used on its population to keep power was the idea of "capitalist encirclement" (compare to "NATO encroachment"), alongside the undermining of foreign nations by supporting communist parties with the goal of overthrowing governments (compare to supporting the Tucker Carlsons of the world).

None of this is new, these people (Russia establishment) cannot be trusted ever.

Now, cue someone saying "whatabout the Americans". To them I say - I'm happy to discuss the Americans, in a thread about them. This thread is about how the Russian government is dishonest and an enemy of freedom and liberal societies.

And what happens...The West cuts off Russia hoping that things get so bad the Russian ppl unite and revolt.

Is the Russian propaganda really that far off the mark? Any futher than the narrative pushed in The West?

Regardless, does The MIC care, or is it too busy counting its money?