MH17 Shot Down by Buk Missles from Russia

In a report by CNN, Dutch investigators have concluded that the flight MH17 was downed over eastern Ukraine by a Buk missle brought in from Russia and fired from a village under the control of pro-Russian separatists. The findings were revealed at a press conference in the Dutch city of Nieuwegein, where Dutch police investigator Wilbert Paulissen had this to say about their findings:

"Based on the criminal investigation, we have concluded that flight MH17 was downed by a Buk missile of the series 9M83 that came from the territory of the Russian Federation."

"We have no doubt whatsoever that conclusions we are presenting today are accurate." The investigators continue to say that the Buk was returned to Russian territory the next day. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the findings pointed to the "direct involvement" of Russia, and said an investigation was ongoing into specific suspects and their "place in the chain of command" in order to pursue a criminal case.

There are about 100 people linked "in one way or another" to the transportation and firing of the Buk, says Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke, but they were yet to formally identify individual suspects. He says there are still questions to be answered in this area:

"Who ordered to transport the Buk, who ordered the MH17 to be shot down, if the crew took their own decisions, or were they operating on instructions from above?"

The important distinction to remember however, is that the investigation does not point its fingers at Russia, or Russians, in the downing of the plane. It simply states that the missles were brought in from Russia and returned to Russia the next day.