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IDemo

(16,926 posts)

42. They were shooting blindly

Tue Jul 22, 2014, 11:49 AM

Jul 2014

Without radar, missile may not have identified jet

But to function correctly, an SA-11 launcher, also known as a Buk, is supposed to be connected to a central radar command -- as opposed to acting alone -- to be certain of exactly what kind of aircraft it is shooting at.

From the information that has come to light so far, the rebels don't appear to have such systems, said Pavel Felgenhauer, a respected defense columnist for Novaya Gazeta, a Moscow-based newspaper known for its critical coverage of Russian affairs.

"They could easily make a tragic mistake and shoot down a passenger plane when indeed they wanted to shoot down a Ukrainian transport plane," he said.

On Friday, Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency also quoted Konstantin Sivkov, director of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, as saying Buk missiles "should be provided with external systems of target identification, that is, radio-location systems. It's an entire system. And the insurgents certainly don't have radio-location."

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2024115312_apxukraineplanemissile.html

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Netherlands opens war crimes investigation into airliner downing [View all] geek tragedy Jul 2014 OP

Can we extradite Bush and Cheney. Oh and Rice, Powell, Rumsfeld .All of them SummerSnow Jul 2014 #1

We can't bring all of them to justice, but those we can we should nt geek tragedy Jul 2014 #2

One law for Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell... daleo Jul 2014 #5

"he Netherlands can prosecute any individual who committed a war crime against a Dutch citizen. " itsrobert Jul 2014 #3

Unfortunately for the separatists, The Hague is the capital of the Netherlands. Loudly Jul 2014 #4

Kick & recommended. William769 Jul 2014 #6

And that will accomplish...? bluestateguy Jul 2014 #7

The same that was accomplished against those who shot down the Korean airliner... Archae Jul 2014 #8

same thing every other war crime prosecution would accomplish nt geek tragedy Jul 2014 #10

Yeah, Henry Kissinger is rotting away in prison and-- bluestateguy Jul 2014 #13

because he was never prosecuted. his getting away with it doesn't geek tragedy Jul 2014 #15

War crimes tribunals don't work unless there are boots on the ground. Germany didn't have any choice freshwest Jul 2014 #17

There will be public accountability geek tragedy Jul 2014 #19

I am still not disagreeing with you that would be a desirable outcome. freshwest Jul 2014 #28

Mahalo, Netherlands! thank you, geek. Cha Jul 2014 #9

Once they have the bodies and the boxes shit will hit the fan. joshcryer Jul 2014 #11

Everyone is admitting the plane was shot down, the bodies and black boxes will prove NOTHING. happyslug Jul 2014 #22

I didn't say they would. joshcryer Jul 2014 #24

The Dutch will investigate and find out what happened Iliyah Jul 2014 #12

it's likely that more people there know than let on geek tragedy Jul 2014 #14

Good. I checked the list and a lot of the passangers were from the mackerel Jul 2014 #16

This message was self-deleted by its author Initech Jul 2014 #18

This isn't the Middle East--all weapons in Eastern Europe will be of Soviet/Russian origin. nt geek tragedy Jul 2014 #20

WTF are you talking about? IronGate Jul 2014 #35

so the Dutch already know who is responsible? Why are they issuing threats? yurbud Jul 2014 #21

Because they are politicans and want to look like they can do something. happyslug Jul 2014 #23

No, the investigation ends with the missile crew geek tragedy Jul 2014 #26

Missile crew is guilty of what??? happyslug Jul 2014 #27

My guess is that it was Russian regulars operating the missile system Kaleva Jul 2014 #29

Possible, but some finding of intention or dismissal is needed. happyslug Jul 2014 #36

You asked "guilty of what?". I suggested involuntary mass murder of civilians. Kaleva Jul 2014 #37

well, in order to claim that it was reckless mass homicide instead of geek tragedy Jul 2014 #39

Shooting at planes without IDing them is a war crime. geek tragedy Jul 2014 #33

Except the plane was on a commercial air route squawking civilian IFF hack89 Jul 2014 #38

They were shooting blindly IDemo Jul 2014 #42

I understand your argument, but I think they could have reasonably identified the target Ash_F Jul 2014 #50

Which is why the Dutch are absolutely the ones who should be leading the inquiry. geek tragedy Jul 2014 #51

Why does it bother you that they are seeking geek tragedy Jul 2014 #25

the tone is odd for an accident, particularly one that didn't occur in Russia yurbud Jul 2014 #40

If the US had been arming the geek tragedy Jul 2014 #43

What if the US military shot down a civilian airliner? Ash_F Jul 2014 #45

history starts exactly when some people say it does and no sooner. yurbud Jul 2014 #46

I just want to add, that I do think both cases were an accidents. Ash_F Jul 2014 #48

If we shoot down an airliner, it's time for "Look forward, not back." yurbud Jul 2014 #47

Yes, I am very aware of that atrocity, and how shameful geek tragedy Jul 2014 #49

Natural order is not always clear polynomial Jul 2014 #30

? nt geek tragedy Jul 2014 #34

Yes! Sherman A1 Jul 2014 #31

Russia could hand its account of MH17 crash over to international commission dipsydoodle Jul 2014 #32

I'd be interested to know what tough action the Dutch PM The2ndWheel Jul 2014 #41

As a member of NATO and the EU, they certainly will have the right ears geek tragedy Jul 2014 #44

It's all about leverage The2ndWheel Jul 2014 #52