Since you asked for our thoughts:

1. The fake footage is odd. I'll going to wait a few days due to chaos of war before I make an inference on this.
2. Russia probably has multiple goals in mind. They wouldn't do this if it wasn't in their own interests.
3. Yes to hiding evidence. Can't confirm biolabs though anecdotally they've been trying to hide the evidence of us/Ukraine biolab partnerships.
4. Perhaps Putin is playing both sides. He's also condemned their superfluousness. Though wouldn't surprise me if they're all working together somehow. For instance, to bring about a global financial reset.