Nevertheless, the JIT said that the prosecutors do not link the MH17 downing to the Russian state of Russian citizens' actions. The team said that there are some 100 people involved "in one way of another" in the MH17 plane's downing.
"The investigation is essential to ensure that those responsible face prosecution and to deliver accountability. Today’s initial criminal report offers clear evidence that the missile was Russian-made, and launched from within territory held by Russian-backed separatist groups. We ask that Russia now engages constructively with the findings and ongoing investigation," Johnson said.
He noted that it was important to reveal motivation of the attack, identity of perpetrators and the chain of command.
"The UK will continue to offer full support to the investigation and we urge all states affected by this tragedy to do the same. Alongside this, we will keep doing all we can to support the relatives of the ten British nationals who lost their lives," Johnson added.
Russia categorically denies any involvement in the catastrophe. On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Moscow is disappointed with the investigation of the crash and JIT’s conclusion confirms the case is biased and politically motivated. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the probe's data are mostly provided by the Internet and Ukrainian security services.
Flight MH17 crashed with 298 people on board on July 17, 2014, in eastern Ukraine, while en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, leaving no survivors. Kiev and Donbass militia in Ukraine’s southeast have blamed each other for the downing of the MH17 plane.
