It would be a lot easier to take those claims seriously if we would stop making up false claims that are adjacent to them.

I agree.

This is the second time they have done this.

Yes, or perhaps 3rd and 4th &c. There is a mix of false information with the other information coming from the front, and it can be difficult for some to understand fake news when they read it, especially when we consider the horrific methods of rape and turture that are reported and videoed.

Earlier this year they said Russian's were raping 1-year old babies, and then had to admit they completely fabricated it.

Yes.

How can I possibly take any rape claims at face value when the media has shown a propensity for repeatedly lying about this specific subject and making up Russian fear porn.

1) Consider that 96% of the reports might be relatively accurate, because Ukrainians are trying their best to survive and to report what's happened, with oral history, photos and videos that provide plenty of evidence (and Russian propaganda isn't believable in the least. They're also reporting only 9k Russian deaths, when the actual number is closer to 90k or 100k on each side. Ukrainians have worked hard to give an accurate description of what is happening, especially because their evidence - and that of independent reporters and the UN investigators is being used to investigate human rights abuses.)

2) Get a sense of how horrifying those reports are, even if you only want to accept that a smaller percentage are accurate

3) Avoid Saidit hivemind cognitive dissonance