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MH17 crash: More bodies to leave Ukraine for Netherlands MH17 crash: More bodies to leave Ukraine for Netherlands
(35 minutes later)
More bodies from Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 are due to arrive in the Netherlands for identification, a process experts say could take months. Two transport planes carrying bodies and remains of those killed on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have left Ukraine for the Netherlands.
The remains of another 74 victims are set to leave eastern Ukraine, a week after all 298 people on board died. Fifty one bags containing bodies or body parts were loaded on board the planes on Thursday, Ukraine said.
Pro-Russian rebels have been widely accused of shooting down the plane. The Netherlands received 40 bodies on Wednesday, and has now begun the long process of identifying remains.
UK experts are to examine data from its two flight recorders, while in Brussels EU diplomats are due to discuss new sanctions against Russia. Pro-Russian rebels have been widely accused of shooting down the plane, killing all 298 people on board.
The post-crash operation has become a multinational effort: the Dutch are leading the investigation, UK experts are examining data from the two flight recorders, and Australia has offered police help to secure the crash site.
In Brussels EU diplomats are due to discuss new sanctions against Russia.
Sanctions could include a ban on buying debt or stock issued by Russia's largest banks, according to reports.Sanctions could include a ban on buying debt or stock issued by Russia's largest banks, according to reports.
In eastern Ukraine, the political leader of the rebels in the Donetsk area has admitted receiving support from "the whole Russian people" in their fight against the government in Kiev.In eastern Ukraine, the political leader of the rebels in the Donetsk area has admitted receiving support from "the whole Russian people" in their fight against the government in Kiev.
However, in a BBC interview, Alexander Borodai - who is himself Russian - denied being a member of the Russian security services.However, in a BBC interview, Alexander Borodai - who is himself Russian - denied being a member of the Russian security services.
Transcript: Borodai defends Ukraine rebelsTranscript: Borodai defends Ukraine rebels
National sadnessNational sadness
The first 40 bodies arrived on Wednesday in the Netherlands, which lost 193 of its citizens in the MH17 disaster.The first 40 bodies arrived on Wednesday in the Netherlands, which lost 193 of its citizens in the MH17 disaster.
The process of identifying the dead was due to get under way on Thursday at a barracks south of the city of Hilversum.The process of identifying the dead was due to get under way on Thursday at a barracks south of the city of Hilversum.
A team of Dutch forensic scientists working inside a military base will examine the contents of the coffins, says the BBC's Anna Holligan in Eindhoven.A team of Dutch forensic scientists working inside a military base will examine the contents of the coffins, says the BBC's Anna Holligan in Eindhoven.
Two more transport aircraft will land in the afternoon. They will be met by a band playing the Last Post, followed by a minute's silence.Two more transport aircraft will land in the afternoon. They will be met by a band playing the Last Post, followed by a minute's silence.
The process of moving the bodies from the crash site and out of Ukraine is expected to continue at least until Friday. But there remains a discrepancy in the numbers of bodies counted by observers on the ground, and experts warn it could be months before all victims are identified.
But there remains a discrepancy in the numbers of bodies counted by observers, and experts warn it could be months before all victims are identified. Australia has sent 50 officers to London to be on standby for deployment to secure the crash site, PM Tony Abbot said.
Australia has offered to help secure the crash site as part of an international police force, and has sent 50 officers to London to be on standby for deployment, PM Tony Abbot said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has gone with her Dutch counterpart to Ukraine to discuss the issue with authorities in Kiev.Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has gone with her Dutch counterpart to Ukraine to discuss the issue with authorities in Kiev.
Meanwhile, UK experts working with Dutch aviation officials are beginning the process of looking at the "black box" recorders at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in Farnborough.Meanwhile, UK experts working with Dutch aviation officials are beginning the process of looking at the "black box" recorders at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in Farnborough.
Data was successfully downloaded and verified on Wednesday, Dutch officials said. UK air accident investigators will now analyse the information.Data was successfully downloaded and verified on Wednesday, Dutch officials said. UK air accident investigators will now analyse the information.
They are looking for voice recordings of the last moments of the plane's flight, as well as potentially vital information from after any missile strike, which could yield clues about the impact and effect of the strike.They are looking for voice recordings of the last moments of the plane's flight, as well as potentially vital information from after any missile strike, which could yield clues about the impact and effect of the strike.
The US has confirmed that it believes the plane was struck by an SA-11 Buk surface-to-air missile fired by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine - probably by mistake.The US has confirmed that it believes the plane was struck by an SA-11 Buk surface-to-air missile fired by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine - probably by mistake.
Buk surface-to-air missile systemBuk surface-to-air missile system
Also known as SA-11 Gadfly (or newer SA-17 Grizzly)Also known as SA-11 Gadfly (or newer SA-17 Grizzly)
Russian-made, mobile, medium range systemRussian-made, mobile, medium range system
Weapons: Four surface-to-air missilesWeapons: Four surface-to-air missiles
Missile speed (max): Mach 3Missile speed (max): Mach 3
Target altitude (max): 22,000 metres (72,000ft)Target altitude (max): 22,000 metres (72,000ft)
Source: Global SecuritySource: Global Security
In a frank interview on Wednesday, a leading rebel commander in eastern Ukraine, said he knew a battalion linked to the city of Luhansk did have a Buk launcher at the time of the MH17 crash.In a frank interview on Wednesday, a leading rebel commander in eastern Ukraine, said he knew a battalion linked to the city of Luhansk did have a Buk launcher at the time of the MH17 crash.
"That Buk I know about. I heard about it. I think they [local rebels] sent it back," Alexander Khodakovsky told Reuters news agency."That Buk I know about. I heard about it. I think they [local rebels] sent it back," Alexander Khodakovsky told Reuters news agency.
"They probably sent it back in order to remove proof of its presence," he said."They probably sent it back in order to remove proof of its presence," he said.
His comments contradicted a statement by Alexander Borodai, who used his BBC interview to deny the rebels had the weapon.His comments contradicted a statement by Alexander Borodai, who used his BBC interview to deny the rebels had the weapon.
"No, we didn't get a Buk. There were no Buks in the area" Mr Borodai said."No, we didn't get a Buk. There were no Buks in the area" Mr Borodai said.
Meanwhile, fighting between Ukrainian government forces and rebels around the rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Wednesday reportedly left 16 people dead.Meanwhile, fighting between Ukrainian government forces and rebels around the rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Wednesday reportedly left 16 people dead.
Officials in Kiev said the rebels also shot down two Ukrainian military aircraft on Wednesday.Officials in Kiev said the rebels also shot down two Ukrainian military aircraft on Wednesday.
A statement from overall military commander Igor Strelkov posted on a rebel website said he had withdrawn his fighters from the outskirts of Donetsk.A statement from overall military commander Igor Strelkov posted on a rebel website said he had withdrawn his fighters from the outskirts of Donetsk.
He said they had pulled back and were prepared to defend their positions.He said they had pulled back and were prepared to defend their positions.
The fighting in eastern Ukraine erupted in April and is believed to have claimed more than 1,000 lives.The fighting in eastern Ukraine erupted in April and is believed to have claimed more than 1,000 lives.
Are you in east Ukraine? Have you been affected by the violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.Are you in east Ukraine? Have you been affected by the violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.