If accurate, how do you think they were brought down? Do we have state of the art MANPADS in Uke hands over there, plentifully? Is there a modern form of the old Stinger missile system that bedevilled the Soviets in Afghanistan, that the Ukes could put to good use? I would think Russian tactics would be to avoid vulnerable situations as much as possible.
Patriot battery? F16s? I’m wondering too.
I seem to remember reading about a possible terrorist threat that could involved autonomous Manpads hidden near airports. The sound of a jet taking off was supposed to trigger it. I wonder if they exist and were left around Andrivka .