A very interesting observation from Andrius Kuncina, a member of our audio team, on some of the emerging Russian narratives.
The statements by a pro-Russian separatist commander from July 22 seem to match the newest narrative emerging from Russia about the possible reasons behind the downing of MH17 over separatist-held eastern Ukraine. Khodakovsky admitted the separatists did own a Buk air defense missile launcher widely suspected to have been the weapon that hit the Malaysian passenger jet. He went as far as to hint the system came to their possession, in his words, 'via the Russian line of supply'. However, he insists Ukrainian services had been long aware of the fact and, instead of securing the Buk, provoked the separatists into actually using it against MH17. How? Apparently by manipulating with the navigation of flights. Russian defense officials suggested earlier this week that MH17 diverged from the international civil aviation corridor over Ukraine by as far as 14 kilometers. Russian Duma Deputy Speaker Sergei Neverov, interviewed by Rossia 24 on Tuesday, claims a Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoysky was behind the maneuver through what Neverov insist is Kolomoysky's ownership of Ukrainian air traffic control systems and services -- however that may be impossible to verify -- 'He is in position to give direct orders to a number of them, including those that were supposed to navigate the tragic flight of the Malaysian Boeing on July 17,' Neverov said.
It remains unclear though how that alleged maneuver could possibly have warranted separatists' decision to hit the passenger jet. Analysts have suggested that MH17 most probably was not the intended target.
So here's Aleksandr Khodakovsky, commander of the Vostok Battalion of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, speaking on Tuesday (July 22) in an interview to Reuters in Donetsk acknowledging that separatists did possess the Buk missile system.
"I knew that a Buk was coming from Luhansk. At the time I was told that a Buk was coming from Luhansk under the flag of the LNR (eds: self-declared Luhansk People's Republic) toward Snizhne. I do know about this Buk, I've heard about it. I think it was sent back. I found out about it when I learned that this tragedy had happened. Most likely it was sent back in order to conceal the evidence of its presence."
"However, this issue should be considered from the following angle: Ukraine had received well in advance the information that the rebels -- through Russia -- obtained this kind of weapon. Not only did they do nothing to ensure safety, but they provoked the use of this weapon against a plane with civilians that was flying by."
And here's Lieutenant General Andrei Kartapolov, chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of Russian Air Forces, speaking on Monday (July 21) at a news briefing in Moscow presenting preliminary findings of the Russian investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
"Prior to reaching Donetsk the [Malaysia Airline] plane was proceeding within the limits of the [international] air corridor. Then the plane diverged from its itinerary to the north. Its detour from the left air corridor boundary reached as far as 14 kilometers. After that point the Boeing attempted to maneuver back to the established air corridor. However, the Malaysian crew did not manage to complete the maneuver."
"The reason for the detour beyond the limits of the air corridor -- the crew's navigation mistake or orders given by Ukrainian air traffic controllers in Dnepropetrovsk -- can only be determined after the examination of flight recorders -- so-called black boxes -- and verbal exchanges of air traffic controllers."
And here's Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Sergei Neverov speaking in an interview to Russia's Rossia 24 in Moscow broadcast on Wednesday (July 23) about a possible role of a Ukrainian businessman Ihor Kolomoysky in the crash.
"[Ukrainian] oligarch Ihor Kolomoysky owns a number of Ukrainian airlines. What's more interesting is the fact that he's fully in control of the funding air traffic control services in Dnepropetrovsk, which were navigating the tragic flight, as well as to a great extent of the technical support of air traffic control services throughout Ukraine. In other words, not only has this oligarch essentially got the most direct influence over Ukraine's air traffic control services -- he is also in position to give direct orders to a number of them, including those that were supposed to navigate the tragic flight of the Malaysian Boeing on July 17."
So Reuters has put out audio of pro-Russian separatist commander Aleksandr Khodakovsky admitting the separatists had the type of antiaircraft missiles believed to have been used to shoot down MH17. Khodakovsky reportedly has denied he ever made the comments to Reuters.
Deserted apart from separatists. A rubbish dump not an air crash investigation.
From our news desk:
Australia has sent 50 police officers to London in anticipation of deploying them to Ukraine to secure the Malaysian plane crash site as part of a UN team.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the foreign ministers of Australia and the Netherlands are going to Kyiv on July 24 to seek a memorandum of understanding that will allow the deployment of a multinational police force.
Abbott has also spoken with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin about the need to secure the site.
Up to 39 Australian nationals and residents were among the 298 people killed when the Malaysian airliner was shot down in eastern Ukraine, allegedly by Russia-backed rebels.
Abbot said the multinational police force must be deployed as soon as possible as the remains of many victims remain on the crash site, which is in rebel-controlled territory.
"Peter, calm down, take a breath."
Essentially that clip tells you everything you need to know about the aftermath of MH17.
