>>>>>There was a screenshot of the radar situation a few minutes before the event (taken by, I assume, third party - all the markings were in english), and there were two more unidentified planes nearby. Some theories state the possibility that an ukrainian army plane was trying to stay in the civilian craft's shadow, was shot at, civilian craft was hit.
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>>>>Interesting to get another viewpoint Dragan. While the press here is demonising Putin and the Russians I am thinking back to the USS Vincennes. Its not just those Russians that make blunders
>>>>Its surprising to me after several planes have been shot down in the Ukraine civill airlines where still flying that route
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>>>Somebody quoted an airline official (so we have two anonymous guys here) saying that they calculated the risk and came to the conclusion that they're safe at that height. Few days later, it's only Montenegro Airlines who still flies there.
>>>
>>>BTW, my daughter (in Virginia) says the news coverage of Ukraine is near zero. Most people aren't even aware that there's a war going on over there, and those few who know there is one, don't really know who's fighting. There may be a few who may be as knowledgeable as to know what a sham government poses as government, and how its nazi-like (or -wannabe) elements are kept away from the limelight last few months (but nobody can stop the fools from self-advertising on youtube).
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>>Ukrainians don't know what is going on? That's hard to believe.
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>>I think I have mentioned that Emily had two roommates while studying in Prague. One was from Russia and the other was from Ukraine. She became friends with the woman from Russia and said the one from Ukraine was loco. That wasn''t a geopolitical opinion, just two individual personalities.
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>>Maybe you can help me understand something. I read an article recently saying some Ukrainians consider "the Ukraine" insulting whereas "Ukraine" is not. Why would the word "the" make such a difference?
>
>Because the Russian/ Ukranian language has no equivalent to a/an or the. The name is not The Ukraine, Its Ukraine. It would be like saying, I'm going to the Mexico for vacation...

Thanks.