DPR denies any involvement in MH17 downing: there are no BUK systems in service

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Donetsk, Jun 19 – DAN. DPR forces could not be involved in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine as they had no BUK missile systems at their disposal, the DPR People’s Militia said in a statement.

“In 2014, there were no BUK surface-to-air missile systems in service in the DPR army, as there are no such systems in service now. The militia could not be involved in the Boeing crash in Donbass,” the statement reads.

The document pointed out the absence of personnel trained to operate the system in the DPR forces.

The Dutch-led international team looking into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 leveled murder charges against three Russian and a Ukrainian nationals that allegedly were behind the shooting. It said on Wednesday that international arrest warrants for the four had been issued.

Five years ago 298 people died when a surface-to-air missile hit the Boeing 777 at cruising altitude. Russia was immediately blamed for the catastrophe even before first investigators reached the scene. Moscow has been denying charges as subsequent investigation revealed that the missile had been launched from the Kiev-controlled territory. This year Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed his doubt over accusations of Russia as “there was not enough evidence to pin the tragedy on Moscow”.*ot