ukraine started the war, that ukrainians are being used as human shields. putin kremlin cronies double down on the lie, blame the u.s. and europe for the civilian deaths. >> translator: the russian armed forces do not bomb cities. this is well-known to everyone. no matter how many videos are edited in nato, no matter how many clips and fake photos are thrown in. >> reporter: yet an indication how flimsy the kremlin may fear its fabrications are. putin held a rare rally, seemingly ceding to scotch concerns over mounting casualties and low morale among soldiers. >> translator: our boys are fighting in this operation shoulder to shoulder, shielding one another with their bodies on the battlefield. we haven't had this unity for a long time. >> reporter: for many russians, knowing fact from kremlin fiction is getting impossible. his heavy-handed riot police