Ukrainian village marks anniversary of MH17 crash
HRABOVE (Ukraine) — Residents of the Ukrainian village where a Malaysian airliner was shot down with 298 people aboard are marking the disaster’s anniversary.
A wreath is placed on a cross with an inscription that reads "Save and protect" next to the site of the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, near the village of Hrabove (Grabovo) in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, July 14, 2015. Photo: Reuters
HRABOVE (Ukraine) — Residents of the Ukrainian village where a Malaysian airliner was shot down with 298 people aboard are marking the disaster’s anniversary.
Villagers carrying flowers gathered in the church in the centre of Hrabove at the start of a procession to the crash site in nearby fields.
Today’s (July 17) ceremony will include the dedication of a small stone with a plaque. The commemoration is organised by local leaders and the Russia-backed separatist rebels who control the area.
It comes amid an escalating war of words over who was responsible for destroying the plane.
Ukrainian and Western authorities say the plane was downed by a missile fired either by rebels or Russian troops who allegedly back them.
The rebels and Moscow say it was hit by a Ukrainian warplane or a Ukrainian-fired missile. AP
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