I agree with Stone's thesis, but would speculate on a different implementation. The key phrase is "no matter how preposterous". That is, we are far beyond any examination of evidence by the target audience. Emotion created by narrative is the sole measure.

The military situation is hopeless, on which I need not elaborate, and far past the time when a "Hail Mary" false flag would be enough to turn the tide. That should should not be interpreted as evidence that they won't, but rather that they can't. I think "They" have no access to a tactical nuke and delivery platform.

But they don't need to go to all that trouble, do they? I would place my money on a scenario like this: a fairly large conventional explosive placed well-within Ukrainian-controlled territory (Lviv?) in a gathering place of foreign mercenaries, near hospital facilities and a civilian concentration if possible. Malcolm Nance can then describe to us all the excruciating symptoms of radiation poisoning he's suffering.