This feels like an op to me. The timing is uncanny. If this story develops, I predict some escalation of current conflicts with some advanced weaponry (chemical, biological, nuclear, energy, space-based, etc) and the alien story to be used as cover.
Alternatively, it’s a continuation of reactionary mobilization propaganda. Thought?
Not to defend the gits in question, but I’ve always been partial to the so-called “roadside picnic” concept, coined by the Soviet writers Arcady and Boris Strugatsky:
In their book “Roadside picnic” (later poorly adapted to movie “Stalker”, and later mutilated beyond recognition into a series of video games), the characters are dealing with a site of apparent alien visit, which left behind a whole treasure trove of strange artifacts and anomalies. The original purpose of the artifacts, as well as the nature of the aliens and their visit remain a mystery. One of the characters, a scientist suggests the eponymous theory:
Imagine taking your family on a road trip. You stop by s roadside to take a break, have a little picnic. Afterwards you drive away, never to return, leaving behind leftover food, trash, general traces of your presence. Then the animals come out of the woods and observe your “visitation site” with shock and awe.
Interesting concept