Malaysian aircraft shot down

[Mr Russell]

More information from the ABC site in Oz on the flight -

Ukrainian wire taps appear to have captured pro-Russian separatists claiming responsibility for shooting down a Malaysian airliner over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 289 people on board, including at least 27 Australians.

Ukraine's Kyiv Post newspaper has posted what it says is a conversation between a separatist commander and Russian intelligence officer Vasili Geranin.

In the transcript, released by Ukraine's security service, the separatist, identified as Igor Bezler, says: "We have just shot down a plane. It fell down beyond Yenakievo (Donetsk Oblast)."

The paper also has a transcript of what it says is a conversation between two separatists identified as "Major" and "Greek".

"The plane fell apart in the air. In the area of Petropavlovskaya mine. The first 200. We have found the first 200 - a civilian," Major says, referring to the codeword for a dead person.

"In short, it was 100 per cent a passenger aircraft.

"These are Chernukhin folks who shot down the plane. From the Chernukhin check point. Those cossacks who are based in Chernukhino.""

The paper also posted part of a third conversation between Cossack commander Nikolay Kozitsin and an unidentified 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," the militant says.

"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?"

Kozitsin replies: "That means they were carrying spies. They shouldn't be f***ing flying. There is a war going on."

Military analysts have speculated that militants mistook the passenger jet for a military aircraft.

Earlier Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko said the downing of the airliner was an act of terrorism.

"MH-17 is not an incident or catastrophe, it is a terrorist attack," he tweeted.

What shot down flight MH17?

Military analysts say a medium-range ground-to-air missile is the weapon most likely to have been used.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said it would be an "unspeakable crime" if the aircraft was proven to have been shot down.

"If it does turn out that this aircraft was brought down by a surface-to-air missile, there is no doubt this would be - under those circumstances - an unspeakable crime and the perpetrators should swiftly be brought to justice," he said.

US vice-president Joe Biden earlier said the aircraft was "blown out of the sky" and it was "not an accident".

Reuben Johnson from defence publication Jane's Military says all the missile systems in the area of Ukraine where the plane was downed had been seized by separatists.

"We have some telephone recordings that were intercepted by the Ukrainian security service ... that has the separatists talking to each other, saying 'We shot down a plane'," he said.

"So there's not too much that's left to the imagination."

The conversation between Major and Greek, as posted by the Kyiv Post:

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. 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 aircraft.
Greek: Are many people there?
Major: Holy sh**t! 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.


and some more information on from the same site

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) said it had recently warned of a safety issue in the region near where Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down.

Up to 27 Australians have died on board the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that was shot down by a ground-to-air missile over Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.

Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was apparently blown out of the sky by a missile near Ukraine's border with Russia.

Earlier, Qantas released a statement saying it has flown that route in the past, "but hasn't flown it for several months".

But Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak says the aircraft's flight route was declared safe by the ICAO .

Mr Razak says the International Air Transportation Association had stated that the airspace the aircraft was traversing was not subject to restrictions.

The Malaysia Airlines European chief executive says crossing eastern Ukraine was not unusual since the area had not been classified as a war zone for aviation purposes.

The ICAO is responsible primarily for air safety.

On April 3 it warned there was a potentially unsafe situation arising from the presence of more than one air traffic services provider.

It has released a statement saying flight MH17 crashed just outside the Simferopol Flight Information Region, which had been the subject of the earlier warning.

The organisation says it stands ready to support the accident investigation upon request and has expressed its deep regret over the loss of passengers and crew.

Meanwhile, UK aviation security expert Chris Yates has told Radio National air traffic controllers should have warned the airliner of the danger.

"The aircraft perhaps should not have been in that area at that time and that ultimately is the fault of the air traffic control authorities, who should perhaps have warned all civil aircraft [who were] operating near the zone to avoid it if at all possible," he said.

[NottinghamWhite]

Just read that 2 Newcastle United fans were on the plane travelling to New Zealand to see their team play in a pre season friendly.

Howay The Lads

R.I.P.

[dlw10]

Just read about the two NUFC fans who were on the flight and it has upset me. I know it is awful for the families of all the victims but I can relate to travelling to watch football and it just once again reminds me how fragile our existence on this earth actually is. As Freddie Mercury told us: There's no chance for us, it's all decided for us. This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us".

[NottinghamWhite]

It is with great sadness that we learn today the tragic news of the deaths of John Alder and Liam Sweeney, two of the Club's most loyal supporters, who lost their lives on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 which crashed on Thursday afternoon in Eastern Ukraine.

John and Liam were travelling out to New Zealand together to support Newcastle United in the forthcoming Football United Tour, which takes place next week in Dunedin and Wellington.

Both men were familiar faces at every Newcastle United away game and attended not only first team games but Reserve and Academy matches too.

John was a lifelong supporter and a familiar sight in the stands for almost half-a-century, having barely missed a single game in that time.

Liam will be known to many fans during his time volunteering as a steward on supporters' buses to away games.

Newcastle United Managing Director Lee Charnley said: "The loss of John and Liam is truly devastating news.

"Both men were dedicated supporters of our Club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike.

"On behalf of everyone at Newcastle United we send our deepest condolences to John and Liam's families and friends.

"The Club will be dedicating an area surrounding the Sir Bobby Robson statue for fans to pay their respects to John and Liam.

"The manager and players will also be wearing black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in the Football United Tour of New Zealand.

"Arrangements will be made to pay tribute to the two men at the Club's first Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday, 17th August. Further information regarding this will be announced in due course."

Manager Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news.

"We all knew how passionately John and Liam supported the team and the Club.

"They were with us just earlier this week for our first pre-season friendly against Oldham and their dedication to travel all the way around the world to support us in New Zealand tells you all you need to
know about the passion they had for Newcastle United.

"Our hearts go out to their families and friends."

[dlw10]

This tragedy just came a lot closer to home. My lad Adam has just found out that a mate of his best friend was on that flight. The friend and the lad on the flight were mates at Leeds Uni where they both study.

[NottinghamWhite]

Just seen that on twitter Dave, photograph of the lad as well.

[NottinghamWhite]

Just read that Sunderland fans have raised over £1000 for a floral tribute to the 2 Newcastle fans that died, fantastic.

[NottinghamWhite]

[Deleted User 728]

Just read that Sunderland fans have raised over £1000 for a floral tribute to the 2 Newcastle fans that died, fantastic.

It's over £3000 now, mate

One of my mate's a geordie and he's been down to St.James Park this morning and posted more photos on FB.
It's fantastic support for the two lads, and it's from the whole area.
It's almost a mini-Hillsborough.
These two lads look like they will be remembered like our own Chris and Kevin, RIP.

[Pecky10]

Just shy of £20,000 now. Fans from many clubs chipping in