# OK, so why has flight MH17 completely disappeared from the news? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372 "2014-08-24T14:29:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/21 "2014-08-26T05:03:01Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > It certainly would make a difference whether that guy was a Ukrainian rebel or a Russian military officer–and I don’t believe it is clear which it was. Anyone know? Why? Do you think Putin will be all like, “oops, my bad, OK war over” if it turns out the guy was Russian? Do you think it will change the policy of the US, NATO, or European powers with regard to the conflict? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/22 "2014-08-26T06:09:17Z")
Actually, there _has_ been news. Two weeks ago Malaysia’s “establishment” newspaper, _The New Straits Times_, came out with the assertion that, in fact, [the plane was downed by Ukrainian aircraft, rather than Russian separatists](http://www.nst.com.my/node/20925). ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/23 "2014-08-26T06:47:46Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Actually, there _has_ been news. Two weeks ago Malaysia’s “establishment” newspaper, _The New Straits Times_, came out with the assertion that, in fact, [the plane was downed by Ukrainian aircraft, rather than Russian separatists](http://www.nst.com.my/node/20925). If this is indeed true, then it’s like "Oh, I guess it’ll remain a mystery " would be the US stance. ---
**Author:** ![dofe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ba0ec/32.png) [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/24 "2014-08-26T13:13:55Z")
> [@bardos](#): > > If this is indeed true, then it’s like "Oh, I guess it’ll remain a mystery " would be the US stance. Seriously? Did you even read the “story”? It sources a “report” written by Robert Parry, who posted it on his website called “[consortiumnews.com](http://consortiumnews.com).” What is the basis of his [findings](http://consortiumnews.com/2014/08/03/flight-17-shoot-down-scenario-shifts/)? > [@](#): > > Contrary to the Obama administration’s public claims blaming eastern Ukrainian rebels and Russia for the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, \*\*some U.S. intelligence analysts \*\*have concluded that the rebels and Russia were likely not at fault and that it appears Ukrainian government forces were to blame, according to a source briefed on these findings. There’s a reason why other media have not picked up the story. ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/25 "2014-08-26T13:26:33Z")
> [@dofe](#): > > Seriously? Did you even read the “story”? It sources a “report” written by Robert Parry, who posted it on his website called “[consortiumnews.com](http://consortiumnews.com).” What is the basis of his [findings](http://consortiumnews.com/2014/08/03/flight-17-shoot-down-scenario-shifts/)? > > There’s a reason why other media have not picked up the story. Which media are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/26 "2014-08-26T13:27:08Z")
> [@sidecar\_jon](#): > > I also suggest that the US and west is now realigning towards Russia in its support of Syria and needs to forget this whole regrettable incident in the name of combating ISIS… It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if this is a factor. The key will be if the sanctions are quietly eased, or are allowed to expire or something like that. If this happens, it’ll pretty much settle the issue that the US/NATO has decided to write off the incident. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/27 "2014-08-26T13:32:40Z")
> [@dofe](#): > > There’s a reason why other media have not picked up the story. What is significant about the phrase “some US intelligence analysts”? ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/28 "2014-08-26T14:31:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What is significant about the phrase “some US intelligence analysts”? It’s an oxymoron? ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/29 "2014-08-26T14:42:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What is significant about the phrase “some US intelligence analysts”? They are not named, and no hint is given as to their authority and status. We are all “US intelligence analysts”, if we care to be. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/30 "2014-08-26T14:48:43Z")
It’s pretty rare to see intelligence sources specifically identified in any print media. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/31 "2014-08-26T14:57:17Z")
If they’re the kind of intelligence analysts who share their analysis with the media, they’re usually quite happy to be named. Intelligence analysis is their business, and they’re very keen to drum up business and establish their reputation. Why not? If you think that “US intelligence analysts” means “the CIA” or similar, well, that’s possibly what the author of the article hopes you will think. But if the CIA was leaking against the US government, [consortiumnews.com](http://consortiumnews.com) would not be their outlet of choice. And you can bet that the Guardian and the NYT would be all over this like mustard on a snag. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/32 "2014-08-26T14:59:39Z")
Sure. But **dofe** seemed less concerned with the secondary source than with the (alleged) primary source. If he had just said, “this is from some random website” it would have made more sense. ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/33 "2014-08-26T15:15:23Z")
Just to add to the weirdness: [http://www.aol.com/article/2014/07/18/rebel-leader-gives-bizarre-account-of-plane-crash/20933592/](http://www.aol.com/article/2014/07/18/rebel-leader-gives-bizarre-account-of-plane-crash/20933592/) ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/34 "2014-08-26T16:50:58Z")
At the time, the location of the missiles was identified. One rebel fighter sent out a boast on Twitter that they’d shot down a Ukrainian jet, then redacted it not long after. Ukraine (if you believe them) published radio intercepts between rebels and their Russian handler, a man who was identified by name and rank; in the conversation, they’re asking where’s the pilots, how many weapons were on the aircraft, etc. (Also allegations that operating the launcher requires more than the 2-hour introduction, so the person who actually launched was likely well-trained on the equipment - likely not a local thug.) Everybody is pretty sure roughly where the missile came from, based on evidence about the rebel positions, the radio conversations, and typical flight paths of these missiles. There is video of an alleged missile launcher driving away with one missile tube empty. There are photographs from the scene, one of which shows a piece of fuselage peppered with holes and dents that are consistent with shrapnel from the sort of missile used. Debris rained over a large area, including bodies and luggage, which means serious breakup of the aircraft at high altitude - consistent with explosion and cruising altitude and speed. there are allegations that the Ukrainian missiles were inoperable, and even so to get them out of Crimea they would have had to be transported through Russia, so there’s little doubt the Russians specifically supplied the missiles. None of the participants nor the air traffic control suggest any warning was given. Airliners don’t have missile detection equipment. This implies no evasive maneuvers happened, the attack was a total surprise the moment the explosion happened - consistent with breakup at altitude. Unless the black box contains some serious surprise, it wouldn’t be big news. The USA probably has the necessary data on when and where radars lit up, when and where, and recordings of the conversations happening. But - they aren’t going to reveal what they can and cannot see so that the rebels or Russians try to hide future maneuvers. Given all this, I’m not sure why there would be any mystery. Odds are this was a horrible case of mistaken identity. Possibly the entire air traffic control system bears responsibility for not seeing the danger, although the previous (military) aircraft shoot-downs were at substantially lower altitude with different equipment. Crazy and undisciplined rebels shooting wildly into the sky, unable to know what they are aiming at, is tragic and still a war crime, but not a mystery. Incompetence is unfortunate but it is not deliberate terrorism. the only standing mystery, that may not be solved unless they catch some of the people responsible, is simple - was it rebels with minimal training, or a reckless but qualified Russian squad that pushed the button? The answer will be wrapped in controversy and disputed for years, and we’ll probably have a number of conflicting versions - but at this point we have no new data, so no news. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/35 "2014-08-26T17:21:11Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Why? Do you think Putin will be all like, “oops, my bad, OK war over” if it turns out the guy was Russian? > > Do you think it will change the policy of the US, NATO, or European powers with regard to the conflict? I think the Ukrainian rebels care whether the world thinks of them as evil people shooting down innocent children as opposed to a group of people wanting self-determination. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/36 "2014-08-26T22:52:07Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I think the Ukrainian rebels care whether the world thinks of them as evil people shooting down innocent children as opposed to a group of people wanting self-determination. Well they’re in luck, because I don’t think anybody thinks they are anything but Russian puppets. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/37 "2014-11-16T01:04:11Z")
[It popped up again](http://news.yahoo.com/russian-tv-channel-says-photos-show-mh17-shot-120128390.html). > [@](#): > > MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian state-controlled TV has broadcast what it called “sensational” photographs, which it said supported Moscow’s theory that Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter jet. > > Several commentators who have examined the photographs have described them as forgeries, however. > > The photographs, said to be taken by a Western satellite, appear to show a fighter jet firing a missile at a passenger plane over eastern Ukraine where the Malaysian airliner was shot down on July 17, killing all 298 people on board. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/38 "2014-11-16T03:01:24Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > That said, you’re also quite right that continued reporting does also depend on what other competing news stories there are. I still remember being totally sick to death of the constant droning on and on and on about the “scandal” of Gary Condit and the disappearance of Chandra Levy, the kind of salacious story that gets all the housewives and other soap opera types tuning in to CNN 24/7. The stories about Condit and Levy stopped abruptly on September 11, 2001, and we never heard about them again. It was the only good thing that happened that day. Yeah, I too remember the late summer of 2001, and hoping that a big REAL news story would come along and dislodge this. I didn’t want a story THAT big. Going back 6 years, my first thought when I heard about the Oklahoma City bombing was, “So, how long will this knock the OJ trial off the top of the news wires?” The answer? TWO DAYS. :smack: At the time, Newsweek mentioned that the sequestered jurors were having all media censored to remove references to OJ, and one letter-writer said, “Where can I subscribe to this service?” 😛 And as for today, the answer is “Kim Kardashian’s butt.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372/39 "2014-11-16T03:50:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [It popped up again](http://news.yahoo.com/russian-tv-channel-says-photos-show-mh17-shot-120128390.html). [Images are as fake as my pictures of Santa getting probed by aliens.](http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/russian-tv-airs-clearly-fake-image-to-claim-ukraine-shot-dow) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-has-flight-mh17-completely-disappeared-from-the-news/696372.md?page=1)