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Russia rebel military chief claims shooting down MH17

by IBNS 18 Jul 2014, 11:22 am

Kiev, July 18 (IBNS) Russia backed anti-Ukraine rebel military chief Igor Strelkov has posted in social media that they have shot down the Malaysian Airlines plane with 295 people on board in eastern Ukraine.

According to The Daily Telegraph, he has allegedly been filmed in a mobile phone video of MH17 plane as it crashed, gleefully bragging “That was a blast — look at the smoke!”.

On his VK.com account, which the Russian version of Facebook, Igor Girkin or Igor Strelkov, who proclaims himself as the defense minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, claimed downing the plane.

"We did warn you — do not fly in our sky," he wrote.

According to media reports on Mashable, a voice believed to be that of Strelkov — dubbed ‘Igor the Terrible’ — announced: “The plane was hit!”   “Look at those black spots, these are the parts flying … it was a blast … look, look, black smoke!”

 The Malaysian plane MH17 with 295 people on board which crashed in eastern Ukraine on Thursday  was shot down with a a surface-to-air missile, reports emerging out from the global community said now, amid a clamour for a full international investigation by various countries.

The flight was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when in crashed in a ball of fire with the global community fearing that it was shot down by Russian-backed rebels in the conflict zone between the ultras and the government of Ukraine.

The plane crashed near Hrabove village near Ukraine's border with Russia near the regional capital of Donetsk. The area is witnessing rebel groups backed by Russia fighting the Ukraine government forces.

While Ukraine has denied shooting down the plane, the needle of suspicion is towards the rebel groups backed by Russia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told a news conference that “if it conspires that the plane was indeed shot down we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice.”

Razak said he spoke with the president of Ukraine, who assured him a thorough and independent investigation that would involve Malaysian officials.

A probe on the tragedy- which led to a blame game between Russia and Ukraine- has been demanded by international community.

US Vice President Joe Biden said the flight was “apparently” shot down.

US President Barack Obama spoke with Ukrainian President Poroshenko   to discuss the tragedy.  President Poroshenko welcomed the assistance of international investigators to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation of the crash site. President Obama assured him that U.S. experts will offer all possible assistance immediately. Obama emphasized that all evidence from the crash site must remain in place on the territory of Ukraine until international investigators are able to examine all aspects of the tragedy.

A NATO Secretary General statement mourning the tragedy said: "Much is unclear about the circumstances of the crash.  However the instability in the region, caused by Russian-backed separatists, has created an increasingly dangerous situation.

"It is important that a full international investigation be launched immediately, without any hindrance, to establish the facts and that those who may be responsible are swiftly brought to justice," the statement said.