This is so sad, because rust is kinda the perfect example of a game where moderators or deputization could handle cheaters. Instead of a matchmaking system, you just join a server and play there. Why not ensure those servers have active moderators to ban cheaters?

I stopped gaming (for now?), but I'm still really fond of what happened with SCP secret labaratory, which had 20-40 player lobbies. There would almost always be a mod online, and I could get cheaters kicked instantly when by reporting them in the menu, then a mod would spectate them, and then they would get banned.

Rust seems to have more players per server (a quick search says some of the extra mega ultra large servers go up to 900 people), but it does have a distinct server model, with admins and mods.

EDIT: the other fun stuff of having active and actually good mods was when they ran fun events. Like I remember they set up a sharks and minnows type game mode instead of the regular stuff. Fun times.