Crash of Malaysian flight MH 17 in Ukraine: Pictures and investigations into the catastrophe

 

A Russia commander, claims responsibility thinking it was an Ukranian plane. See tweet.

#Russia'n cmdr Strelkov commented on downed #MH17 (thinking it was Ukrainian): "We warned - do not fly in our skies"

So, who really shot down the plane and why? United States have commenced investigationssince 23 Americans were among the 295 passengers confirmed dead.

President Barack Obama calls it a terrible tragedy, directs his men to swing into investigation, since the plane was alleged to be shot down in a region where Ukrainian forces have been battling Russian-backed separatists.

His words: “It looks like it may be a terrible tragedy," he said. "Right now we are working to determine whether there were American citizens on board - that is our first priority.
"And I've directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government."

He added: "As a country, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and passengers, wherever they call home."

An American freelance journalist at the scene of the crash, Noah Sneider, tweeted: "I've never seen anything like it," one local rebel fighter tells me. "You look down and see ears, fingers, bones."

And these pictures from REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev, gives shows more of the catastrophe