just newly registered and wanted to thank you for this very interesting thread.
I'm a former SAM operator and want to give you some information from the "other side":
Of course do SAM units train with the real peace time airpicture, so any airliner is a legitimate practice target. However safety rules dictate that no live rounds are available at that training and launching stations must be in standby mode.
The idea of a training exercise directly at the front and having your own flying assets playing game over a hot zone is just riduculous.
The SA-11 uses command guidance. Such weapons will definitely support a "command destruct", where the operator can destroy a missile in flight should it do something erratic or the target itself does no longer be clear under the ROE. This is definitely part of the training, recognition of such a situation and correct and timely reaction.
However we dont know how educated that crew was, setting up the system, tracking a target and launching a MSL is one thing, but applying ROE and behaving tactically correct is a world of difference.
@MudMan: Great work! If you rotate it furthermore 90 degrees clockwise it might also be the left front window???