US Ambassador Samantha Power told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday that the United States cannot rule out that Russia helped in the launch of the surface-to-air missile that shot down a Malaysia Airlines jet over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
Power said the US believes the plane was likely downed by an SA-11 missile fired from an area in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists. She said Russia has provided SA-11s and other heavy weapons to the separatists.
Britain's UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, who called the emergency meeting, was more emphatic on assessing blame for the crash. And Ms Power it is likely that Russian military personnel were at the controls of the missile battery that downed the airliner.
New intelligence seen by the New York Times, suggest a surface to air missile on Monday shot down a Ukranian military plane from inside Russia’s borders – just days before MH17 was blown apart. It is possible that the same battery was then moved into Ukraine, where it shot down the Malaysian airlines jet liner.
'It is clear where responsibility lies: with the senseless violence of armed separatists and with those who have supported, equipped and advised them,' he said. 'The council must be united in condemning these actions, and in demanding that these groups disarm, desist from violence and intimidation and engage in dialogue through the democratic mechanisms that are available to them.'
The Malaysian jet was flying at a cruising altitude of 33,000 feet (10,000 meters) from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on an established flight corridor when it was shot down Thursday, Power said.
Power said that early Thursday a Western reporter reported an SA-11 system in separatist-controlled territory near Snizhne, 'and separatists were spotted hours before the incident with an SA-11 SAM system close to the site where the plane came down.'
Power didn't identify the reporter. But on Thursday, AP journalists saw a rocket launcher near Snizhne.
Separatists initially claimed responsibility for shooting down a military transport plane, and claimed responsibility and posted videos that are now being connected to the Malaysian Airlines crash,' Power said. 'Separatist leaders also boasted on social media about shooting down a plane, but later deleted these messages.'
'Because of the technical complexity of the SA-11, it is unlikely that the separatists could effectively operate the system without assistance from knowledgeable personnel. Thus, we cannot rule out technical assistance from Russian personnel in operating the systems,' she said.
Power said Ukraine also has SA-11 missiles but the United States is not aware of any in the area where the plane was shot down.
She said the downing of the Malaysian airlines jet also follows a pattern of attacks on aircraft by the separatists in June and very recently on Monday and Wednesday.
'If indeed Russian-backed separatists were behind this attack on a civilian airliner, they and their backers would have good reason to cover up evidence of their crime,' Power told the council. 'Thus it is extremely important than an investigation be commenced immediately.'
Power called for a cease-fire by Russia, pro-Russian separatists and Ukraine so investigators can immediately get to the site.
Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were prevented from conducting their investigation by militiamen during their first trip to the scene Friday, fueling speculation that the rebels are beginning a 'cover-up' by hiding all links to the Buk missile believed to have shot down the plane.
Pro-Russian separatists stand by as representatives from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) arrive to take a look at the crash site. They were forced to leave 75 minutes later.
Sergeyev said communications and intercepts, photos and videos indicate that the rebels have at least two SA-11 missile systems, also known as Buk. He added that detained 'terrorists,' including two Russian citizens who were going to join the rebels, confessed that the Buk system arrived from Russia.
The entire Security Council called for 'a full, thorough and independent international investigation, in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines, and for appropriate accountability." It stressed the need for "immediate access by investigators to the crash site to determine the cause of the incident.'
At the start of Friday's emergency meeting, all diplomats in the crowded council chamber rose to their feet and bowed their heads in silent tribute to those who died.
Ambassadors from all countries with passengers on the flight - Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Philippines, Vietnam, Canada, New Zealand and the United States - all spoke, demanding an independent investigation and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The BUK missile system photographed in Torez hours before MH17 was downed. Torez is rebel held town.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2698068/Did-Russian-soldiers-trigger-finger-blow-MH17-sky-NOT-Ukranian-rebel-Tense-United-Nations-showdown-turns-heat-Putin-US-says-rag-tag-separatists-struggle-fire-missile-themselves.html
Read this comment below at link above, there are lots of pics with guys wearing balaclavas, not sure what guy he is referring to, maybe one of you can spot what he talking about. The guy who looks like rebel leader has blue and gold emblem on his chest.
"The guy with the balaclava is wearing the insignia of a Major of the Russian Federation."