DISINFO: MH17 the complaints are based on false evidence, should be withdrawn
SUMMARY
Accusing Russia of being involved in the crash of MH17 in Ukraine in 2014, the claims of the Netherlands and Ukraine are based on "false evidence". The charges are based on "distortion of facts, false evidence and assertions," said Mikhail Vinogradov, which is why "the authorities of the Russian Federation deny their involvement and responsibility" for this accident.
Moscow is asking the courts to reject all of the Dutch and Ukrainian complaints, he continues, pointing out that the events described by the complainants took place "in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, i.e. outside the territory of Russia".
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine, aiming to discredit the criminal trial and the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Russia denies its responsibility for shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Donbas on 17 July 2014 and blames Ukraine for that.
In reality, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has come up with enough evidence of direct Russian involvement in shooting down this civilian plane. The JIT announced in September 2016 that the plane was shot down by a missile from the BUK 9M38 series, which was launched by a BUK TELAR missile system. In May 2018, the JIT announced its conclusion that the missile which shot down the plane came from Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. It is stationed in the Kursk Region bordering Ukraine.
Three Russians and one Ukrainian are being tried in the Netherlands in absentia for their complicity in shooting down the plane. Although the proceedings are still underway, there is nothing that confirms Ukraine’s responsibility. All facts prove Russia’s direct involvement.
Read also related stories: JIT excluded Russia from MH17 probe, ignored Moscow-supplied evidence, No evidence for Russian involvement in MH17, JIT excluded Russia from MH17 probe, ignored Russian evidence.