Breaking news out of the Netherlands where investigators announced this morning that a Russian made BUK missile fire from an area of Ukraine under control of pro-Russian rebels at the time shot down Malaysian Airlines flight number MH17 in July 2014:
JIT: Flight MH17 was shot down by a BUK missile from a farmland near Pervomaiskyi https://t.co/pPBoGwfSSL
— JIT MH17 (@JITMH17) September 28, 2016
Russian media outlet RT live-tweeted the presentation by prosecutors (and it’s actually a fair account of what happened at the press conference):
BREAKING: BUK missile system that shot down #MH17 came from Russia – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/xpRcGsvpSy
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
MORE: #MH17 shot down by rebels using Buk missile system – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/9nOHtSFPNX pic.twitter.com/GfeXzpa1XA
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
Evidence suggest the missile struck the plane’s cockpit:
Forensic evidence shows missile shot into window of cockpit #MH17
— Paula Slier (@PaulaSlier_RT) September 28, 2016
Investigators reported that soil samples and telecom data indicated Pervomaiskiy was under control of pro-Russian rebels at the time of the launch:
2015 team took ground samples, and checked location and range of telephone masts – further proof area was held by #Russian rebels
— Paula Slier (@PaulaSlier_RT) September 28, 2016
URGENT: Buk missile launched from pro-Russian rebel held part of #Ukraine – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/9nOHtSFPNX pic.twitter.com/ecDoCIONyf
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
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And people saw the missile system in the area:
Social media pics also confirm #BUC trailer carried on trailer / people saw it in #Donetsk and #Zuhres
— Paula Slier (@PaulaSlier_RT) September 28, 2016
The missile launcher was then reportedly moved back to Russia, again with photographic evidence:
After the Buk missile system used, it was moved back to Russia – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/xpRcGsvpSy
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
Playing intercepted phone calls and showing pics of #BUC returning to territory of #Russian federation #MH17
— Paula Slier (@PaulaSlier_RT) September 28, 2016
The next step is that prosecutors will attempt to identify the person or persons responsible:
We have no doubt whatsoever that our conclusions on #MH17 downing are accurate – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/9nOHtSFPNX pic.twitter.com/EgkXGWP7ct
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
#MH17 investigation team has identified 100 people of interest during inquiry – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/xpRcGsvpSy
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
Still need to know who gave order to shoot down #MH17; unclear how long investigation will last – Intl Prosecutors https://t.co/9nOHtSFPNX
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
The team is asking for help in identifying two individuals heard on intercepted communications:
The JIT is specifically looking for more information concerning the following people:
Person 1:
Alias: Orion (callsign)
First name: Andrey IvanovichPerson 2:
Alias: Delfin (callsign)
First name: Nikolay FiodorovichThe JIT has several wire tapped conversations in which these people participate. The JIT provides you with a sample of the audio files in English and Russian, from a selection of these conversations. The JIT stresses that there is no evidence that these calls are directly related to the shooting down of MH17.
However, Russia allegedly has new radar data it wants to submit for review:
#MH17 investigators will definitely examine new radar images produced by Russia – Prosecutors https://t.co/9nOHtSFPNX
— RT (@RT_com) September 28, 2016
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