No, I distinctly remember CNN saying that TWO transports were shot down prior to the 777. Then two SU25's after the 777. Of course, CNN uses a private pilot who flies a Cirrus as an "aviation expert", so maybe its not such a great source. Your points are well taken about the altitude, and typical commercial air routes that any qualified air defense officer should have been aware of. As far as the safety of a flight over an active war zone is concerned; I thought we learned from the shootdown of Col Francis Gary Powers in a U2 in 1960 (when SAMs were far less capable) that altitude doesn't mean SH(*%^T as far as protection from SAMs goes. Were talking about SAMs here not AAA. If routing can be changed for storms and congestion, it sure as hell can be changed for SAMs! Bottom line, Ukranian ATC screwed those people by letting them fly over an area where planes were getting shot down!