In View Of The Shooting Down Of Military Planes Over Ukraine Were There Alternative Flight Corridors...

[sandyRoe]

...that civilian planes might have used?

[Butterbun]

Yes, but this was a shorter and more direct route. Other planes have since been using alternative routes.

[Gromit]

Evidently, as some carriers were avoiding Ukraine altogether.

It seems through Ukraine airspace is the more direct route and therefore cheaper. To go around would require more fuel at an additional cost.

[ichkeria]

Yes.
Some did choose alternative routes and some chose to follow the advice that it was "safe" to use cheaper, direct routes.
Tragically, in addition, it looks as though flight MH17 was directed north because of the threat of storms and ran into something worse.