All of the remains of MH17 victims that had been transported to Kharkiv have now departed, says AP:
Two cargo planes have flown 38 more coffins carrying victims of the Malaysia Airlines disaster out of eastern Ukraine to a forensic center in the Netherlands for identification and investigation.
The planes took off Saturday from Kharkiv, a government-controlled city where the bodies have been brought from the crash site in territory held by pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian government. U.S. and Ukrainian officials say the plane was shot down by a missile from rebel territory, likely by mistake.
Officials said the flights took the last of the victims that have been brought to Kharkiv. International observers have said there are still remains at the crash site. Access has been limited due to rebel interference and security concerns.
Dutch and Australian police and security forces are still preparing for deployment to the MH17 impact area, where blasts are still ringing out from fighting dozens of kilometers away despite a cease-fire called for the immediate area.
In a commentary on its official website, the Russian Foreign Ministry accuses the U.S. administration of organizing a "relentless campaign of slander against Russia" fed by "outright lies." It vows that "we will survive this," but adds that Washington and Kyiv are contributing to the "forced suppression of discontent on the part of [Ukraine's] Russian-speaking population."
It goes on to say "the Obama administration bears responsibilities for the internal conflict in Ukraine and its severe consequences."
In reference to the Kremenchuk mayor's slaying and the shelling of the home of Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy:
On the ambush and assassination this morning of Kremenchuk Mayor Oleh Babayev:
From Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's "Washington Post" opinion piece.
As president, I have laid the groundwork for peace talks with the separatists by calling for dialogue along with guarantees of the rights of all Ukrainians. But these calls have been rejected, and Moscow continues to fan the conflict. It has always been my goal to bring together the parties and work out solutions for all Ukrainians regardless of geography, ethnicity or language.
To help achieve these solutions, the West should begin thinking about a larger response to what has happened. As always, the United States should take the lead. Working together with the European Union, Washington can shape a worldwide coalition of nations in support of Ukraine to ensure that these terrorists are not able to strike again.