Few Facts You May Want To Know
Was the plane shot down?
All evidence so far says yes. According to a senior American official, a US radar system saw a surface-to-air missile system turn on and track an aircraft right before plane went down. A second system saw a heat signature, which would indicate a missile rising from the ground into the air at the time the airliner was hit, the official explained. The plane's debris field indicates a mid-air explosion.
Who did it?
That is the million dollar question. A preliminary classified US intelligence analysis concludes the rebels most likely fired the missile, according to an American defense official with direct access to the latest information. Ukrainian officials also accused the rebels, who denied it. Russia also denied involvement.
Can anyone fire a Buk missile?
No. The system requires a trained team to properly fix on a target and fire the missile that is longer than an average car. US President Obama noted the rebels get weapons and training from Russia and had previously shot down government aircraft, including a claimed strike of a fighter jet.
Where are the black boxes now?
That is not clear. Some reports say separatist forces found the plane's data and cockpit voice recorders and handed them over to Russia, though that remains unproven. A Ukrainian official said Friday the recorders still were in the country, but he didn't know their exact location or who had them. On Saturday, a rebel leader in the Donetsk region where the plane went down said his group didn't have them. Examining the recorders will be key, but CNN aviation analyst Miles O'Brien said the crash location in such a volatile region made their recovery uncertain.
How will the US and its allies respond?
Nations who had citizens die in the attack has demanded a full investigation, as well as the normal response to any air tragedy such as return of remains and reparations for family of victims. Countries with particular expertise, such as the United States, also will participate in the investigation. Some US conservatives, such as Republican Sen John McCain, already call for tougher sanctions and arming the Ukraine military in its fight against the rebels. Tougher sanctions as well as a military conflict are, though distant, are on the cards.
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