V. Hroysman: Today 101 international experts investigate MH17 crash site

On August 1, for the first time, the international taskforce comprising 101 experts got to the MH17 crash site at 11.25. A group of 53 experts from the Netherlands, 38 from Australia and 10 OSCE experts investigate the territory of MH17 crash site. Media representatives are present at the crash site as well, informed Vice Prime-Minister of Ukraine, Head of the State commission for MH17 crash investigation Volodymyr Hroysman at a briefing in Kyiv.

“We are in permanent contact with our international partners. Yesterday Malaysian representatives joined our working group. The working group keeps elaborating the options to shorten way to the crash site in order to save travel time and give experts a chance to work more at the crash site,” noted the Vice Prime-Minister.

Volodymyr Hroysman has also underlined that Ukrainian army conducts no combat action in the 20-km zone around the crash site and on experts’ travel way. Provocations that impede convoy movement including today’s fire on the way to the crash site according to the preliminary information were staged by militants.

Commenting on the possibility to have representatives of the Russian Federation involved in the investigation, V. Hroysman noted that Russia has got certain interest and involvement in the issue. “Answering your question, I would like to say that Russia “has already participated.”

Volodymyr Hroysman has also reported that Ukraine’s National Bureau for Air Accidents Investigation has approved a preliminary report that will be soon published and sent to the Netherlands for further work.

“It is of utmost importance that the international taskforce started working directly at the tragedy site as relatives of the victims got hope that bodies of their beloved ones will be found and returned back home,” said Volodymyr Hroysman.