According to the head of counterintelligence for the Ukrainian State Security Service, it is believed the pro-Russian rebels are blocking recovery workers from the crash site and removing pertinent evidence.
The Buk-M1 missile systems that took down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 were seen being driven back over the border into Russia based on photographs provided by Ukrainian State Security Service's Vitaly Nayda. The photographs indicate that two of the missile systems, which are mounted to armored vehicles, arrived back in Russia less than ten hours after the plane crash. The third missile system arrived back two hours after.
Nayda says that the missile was fired from the town of Snizhne, which is located in the pro-Russian separatist territory. In a news conference yesterday, President Obama also acknowledged that it was not possible for the rebels to be functioning the way they are without help, equipment, and training from Russia. He did not hesitate to mention that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not putting forth necessary efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
"We have proof that the terrorist attack was planned and carried out with the involvement of representatives of the Russian Federation," said Mr. Nayda, in this New York Times article. "We know that Russia is trying to hide its terrorist activity and their direct involvement."
In addition to moving the alleged responsible weaponry back into Russia, it was reported earlier today that armed rebels hampered access to the crash site and limited the movements of international investigators, based on this CBC News report. The flight recorders are also believed to be in the rebels' possession.
On Saturday heavy fighting was taking place between the Ukrainian forces and the rebels in the eastern city of Luhansk, which is part of the crash site, but USA Today recently reported that the forces agreed to set up a seven-square-mile security zone to ensure the safe removal of bodies from the plane crash and hopefully any other evidence that remains.
"Tripartite talks decided that there are 20 square kilometers for Ukraine to fulfil humane mission, take the bodies, give them to their relatives," Nayda said in Ukrinform article. "For this it has been agreed on 20 square kilometers, a specific area, and we hope that the terrorists will let us work. The tripartite group includes representatives of Russia, and let they finally keep their word."
