"We have just shot down a plane": Pro-Russia rebels in leaked audio
An intercepted conversation between pro-Russia rebels and Russian military intelligence officers suggest that the rebels are responsible for shooting down MH17 that killed all 298 passengers on board.
A YouTube video of the call - with subtitles - was posted online by the Ukranian English-language newspaper Kyiv Post.
The call, which was intercepted by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), was allegedly made 20 minutes after the plane crash.
The first recording takes place between Igor Bezler, a pro-Russian rebel leader and Vasili Geranin, who Ukraine security officials claim is a Russian intelligence agent.
The following is the transcript.
Igor Bezler: We have just shot down a plane. Group Minera. It fell down beyond Yenakievo (Donetsk Oblast).
Vasili Geranin: Pilots. Where are the pilots?
IB: Gone to search for and photograph the plane. It's smoking.
VG: How many minutes ago?
IB: About 30 minutes ago.
SBU comments in the video: After examining the site of the plane the terrorists come to the conclusion that they have shot down a civilian plane. The next part of the conversation took place about 40 minutes later.
The next call is made by two unidentified men nicknamed Major and Greek.
"Major": These are Chernukhin folks who shot down the plane. From the Chernukhin check point. Those cossacks who are based in Chernukhino.
"Greek": Yes, Major.
"Major": The plane fell apart in the air. In the area of Petropavlovskaya mine. The first "200" (code word for dead person). We have found the first "200". A Civilian.
"Greek": Well, what do you have there?
"Major": In short, it was 100 per cent a passenger (civilian) aircraft.
"Greek": Are many people there?
"Major": The debris fell right into the yards (of homes).
"Greek": What kind of aircraft?
"Major": I haven't ascertained this. I haven't been to the main sight. I am only surveying the scene where the first bodies fell. There are the remains of internal brackets, seats and bodies.
"Greek": Is there anything left of the weapon?
"Major": Absolutely nothing. Civilian items, medicinal stuff, towels, toilet paper.
"Greek": Are there documents?
"Major": Yes, of one Indonesian student. From a university in Thompson.
In the final phone call, a rebel checks in with his commander:
Militant: Regarding the plane shot down in the area of Snizhne-Torez. It's a civilian one. Fell down near Grabove. There are lots of corpses of women and children. The Cossacks are out there looking at all this.
They say on TV it's AN-26 transport plane, but they say it's written Malaysia Airlines on the plane. What was it doing on Ukraine's territory?
Nikolay Kozitsin: That means they were carrying spies. They shouldn't be f***ing flying. There is a war going on.
It must be noted that the video has not been verified by other media.
Sources: Kyiv Post, The Telegraph
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now