One thing I find mystifying is how good russian propaganda is. To this day there are talking heads everywhere regurgitating the talking point "no point for ukrain to fight, better just surrender now and spare lives". How does this happen, is it actually as straightforward as the fsb has a budget to pay for pundits?

It is perplexing isn't it? Second best army in the world is struggling to make a headway for last 4 years on a much smaller neighbor. The difference between Russian propaganda and reality on the battlefield is so vast that every threat from Russia towards other neighbors rings more hollow every month.