Yes this seems to be pointing at the controllers. The fact they have admitted in instructing the Russian Plane to descend only 45-50 secounds before the point of crossed flight paths( impact in this case), is very unerving. 50 seconds at a combined closure speed of say 900kts is about 6-7 miles from impact, to me thats too short. Was there a problem in the handover?
Those with international experience, will understand the problems with language, and handovers to different centres all over the world. Was this a factor this time? The language thing comes up alot I notice.