In this era of Trump, facts don't matter. Add to that your other option, "alternative facts".
So who cares about the story of the website? If you want to believe the story, fine. If you don't want to believe, that's fine too.
Fact is, the domain was probably owned by Soviet operatives, and most likely still is. Then, the Soviet operatives can make up any story they wish concerning the domain, and get a few Americans all stirred up into a frenzy over a big nothing. It's only about screwing with the Americans. Right? If the story is sourced from any social media outlet, it's probably Soviet operatives messing around with your brain. It's the Russian past time.