From MartinS:
How much of a difference is there in the QNH-QFE settings at Smolensk?
Based on the picture in a previous post (#650), I understand that the threshold altitude is 254 m. If correct, the difference QNH - QFE is about 30 mb.
Based on this same picture, when passing abeam the inbound NDB where it struck the first obstacle, the a/c was about 85 m below the normal flight path. This can be due to a 10 mb difference in the altimeter setting relative to the real pressure.
I share the view that the real question is "why where they so low" but so far I can't believe it was intentional.