[Update] Malaysian Passenger Airliner Crashes in Ukraine Before Entering Russian Airspace
A Malaysian Passenger plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed today in the Ukraine prior to entering Russian Airspace. The Boeing 777 was reportedly carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew members. According to Interfax, the crash occured witihin 50 miles of the Russian Border.
“Boeing Malaysian airlines operate flights to Amsterdam — Kuala Lumpur for 50 miles before entering the airspace of Russia, began to decline, he was subsequently found burning on the ground in Ukraine,”
Raf Sanchez, Telegraph.co.uk washington correspondent, shared the following in regards to the Malaysian Passenger plane’s crash:
It’s still not clear what happened to today’s Malaysia Airlines flight but last night, as the US announced new sanctions on Russia, American officials suggested Russian weapons were behind the downing of a Ukrainian transport aircraft on Monday. Here’s what they had to say:
“On July 14th, Ukrainians lost an An-26 transport jet, which was shot down from an altitude of 21,000 feet, with eight crew on board. And only very sophisticated weapons systems would be able to reach this height.”
A preliminary timeline of events was also posted by the Telegraph.
16.15 Interfax news agency are claiming that a Malaysian passenger plane has crashed in Ukraine, near the Russian border.
16.20 The plane is thought to have crashed near Shaktersk.
16.34 Interfax are saying that the plane was shot down.
16.28 Initial reports suggested that the flight could have been Malaysia Airlines MH17, which left Amsterdam at 12.14.
It was due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 06.09.
16.27 Unconfirmed reports on Twitter showed YouTube footage of a large pall of smoke in fields near Shaktersk.
The video has not yet been confirmed as actual video of the crash. However, it is speculated that it is. This crash comes on the heels of President Obama’s announcement of increased sanctions against Russia, including Russian banks.
“Given its continued provocations in Ukraine, today I have approved a new set of sanctions on some of Russia’s largest companies and financial institutions,”
There has been no confirmation regarding speculation that the plane crash may be a result of President Obama’s sanctions, if the plane was shot down, if it crashed due to mechanical malfunctions, or terrorist activity. This is currently an ongoing news story and more information will be revealed throughout the day, as well as after a complete investigation has been enacted upon the recovered plane.
Current speculation is stating the the plane was shot down. As new updates are received, we will work diligently to update the story.
UPDATE:
The Ukraine government has stated that a Bulk missile was fired, by separatists, and caused the Malaysian Plan Crash
Photo Courtesy: Business Insider
