777 Crash In Ukraine
 

I'll bet on a missile strike. ;)

This was my first thought as well. Did Russia do it?

Reports are that it was hit by a BUK surface to air missile fired from inside Russian territory. This is going to get ugly really quickly if true. Prayers out to the deceased.

It's the Malaysians.

I don't think any further explanation for the routing is required.

Remember, these are the people who let the rest of the world search for weeks for their lost airplane while they withheld information on its possible location.

As far as the SAM shooting, it was either the Ukranian government, which I would say is very unlikely, the Ukranian separatists, who initially claimed credit for the downing, and now deny it, or most likely, IMHO, the Russians shot it down in support of the "separatists".

A BUK requires armored TELs and radars to employ, it isn't a shoulder fired missile that might be hidden.

TR

The airspace was not restricted at the time. The FIR has been closed now, though.

Pat

This will certainly take the media's attention away from the IRS scandal......

Oh I agree. But remember, those airways are a marketable commodity and the Ukranians have probably been busy promising that the airspace is safe. I doubt the Malaysians were the only airline using those airways.

Pat

Jester says it was the Russians

https://twitter.com/th3j35t3r/status/489851558935265280