The Malaysian plane was flying on an active route used by commercial airlines every day. Hours before the crash, Russia closed four airways near the Ukrainian border, including one that was a continuation of Flight 17’s route.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
New York Times: Maps of the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
A woman places flowers outside the Malaysian Embassy in Kyiv on July 18 to show respect for the 298 people killed on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 after the plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast.
