You're reading: Investigators: Rocket that hit MH17 launched near Pervoimaiske

The international Joint Investigation Team has established that the surface-to-air missile system “Buk,” which downed the Boeing MH17 airliner over Donbas on July 17, 2014 was launched from an area controlled by Kremlin-backed militants near the village of Pervomaiske in Donetsk region, Ukraine.

“As for the exact launching site: We can conclude that the site of the launch was an area near Pervomaiske. This was a field of about 600 square meters. A field surrounded by trees, and the Dutch side has already concluded that the rocket was launched from the territory near Tarnove. During the launch this territory was controlled by Kremlin-backed militants,” chief Dutch police investigator Wilbert Paulissen said during a press conference at the Hague on Sept. 28.

In his words, during the course of the investigation to determine the exact site of the rocket launch, investigators visited the site where the plane came down in order to analyze soil samples. Witnesses were also questioned.

On the basis of information received conclusions were made by the investigation group that the place where the rocket was launched was in the area of Pervomaiske.