London [United Kingdom], Sept. 28 : An international criminal investigation on Wednesday said that the Buk missile which shot down the MH17 aircraft, was brought into Ukraine from Russia and fired from a village under the control of pro-Russian rebels.
The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT) at a press conference in Nieuwegein, Netherlands said there was "irrefutable evidence" that a Buk 9M38 missile downed Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 in which all 298 people on board were killed, reports the Guardian.
The findings were immediately dismissed by Russia. Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's press spokesman said, "Whole story is unfortunately surrounded by a huge amount of speculation and unqualified, unprofessional information." However, the investigators - who include representatives from Australia, Malaysia, Ukraine, and Belgium - said their conclusions were based on a wealth of supporting evidence which included forensic examinations, witness statements, satellite images, radar data, and intercepted telephone calls.
The investigation found that the missile was fired from an arable field 6km south of the town of Snizhne.
The area was under the control of pro-Russian fighters. The investigation also found that the Buk came from Russian territory into eastern Ukraine and was later transported on a white Volvo truck and around 100 people have been identified who can be linked to the downing of MH17.
The investigators are now examining who gave the order to smuggle the Buk system into Ukraine and who ordered to shoot down MH17.
Source: ANI
