THE Joint Investigation Team’s findings presented by the Dutch public prosecutor today corroborates what the United States has said all along – MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made missile fired from Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, said the US State Department.

“Today’s announcement confirms and adds detail to what we have said from the earliest days of this tragedy: MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia and Russia-led forces, US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The Joint Investigation Team has concluded that the missile launcher used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 originated from the 53rd Anti-aircraft Brigade of the Russian Federation, stationed in Kursk.

Nauert recalled the UN Security Council’s demand that those responsible be held to account and that all States cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability. 

“We call upon Russia, in particular, to respect and adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2166 (2014). It is time for Russia to cease its lies and account for its role in the shoot down,” she said.

She said the US was confident of the ability of the Dutch criminal justice system to prosecute those responsible in a manner that was fair and just.

“We again extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and call for justice on behalf of the 298 innocent civilians who lost their lives on that day.

Flight MH17 was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 when it was shot down over the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. 

All 298 people onboard were killed. – May 25, 2018.