What news blackout?
The press has nothing to chew at this time; pieces and victims are still being sought, and the investigation report always is slow in coming out, sometimes after several months. Reports at this time would only be repetition.

Hundreds of specialists would be able to operate the three-part Buk system; it has been in use for over 30 years.

The system was purchased by Syria ($1 billion contract), Venezuela and Ajerbaijan among others, and was demonstrated in shows in Indonesia, Malaysia and Chile as well as Russia. The Buk M2E series can engage 24 targets at one time.

See www.army-technology for a good article on its capabilities;" Buk-M2E air defense missile system, Russia."