We have most of the observatories on the planet, including those in Russia, glued to the skies awaiting the arrival of the asteroid that's going to pass just 17,000 miles away ~ of course they'd needed some early indication, and there it was, on line.
The entire story is possible ~ but the real question is did they hit it.
Let us turn to lazmataz for his opinion.
So, laz, would you hit it?