A former officer of the Russian intelligence claimed “moral responsibility” for the deaths of hundreds of people on Board a passenger airliner shot down in the skies over Eastern Ukraine.
All 298 passengers, including 80 children, were killed when in July 2014 missile Russian-made “Buk” was shot down the plane Malaysian airlines carrying out flight MH17 and flying over territory controlled by Pro-Kremlin separatists. Most of the victims were from the Netherlands, Malaysia and Australia. Also killed 10 Britons.
A former Colonel in the Russian state security service FSB Igor Girkin during this disaster led the separatist forces in the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine. International investigation in absentia brought him another two Russian and one Ukrainian accusation that they delivered SAM “Buk” in the combat area. The trial opened in March in the Hague. None of the suspects on trial was not present.
“Because I commanded a militia and was a party to the conflict, I feel a moral responsibility for the deaths of these people”, — told the correspondent of “the times” 49-year-old Girkin. However, he said that under his command the separatist forces, the plane was not shot down.
When he was asked whether it is possible to interpret his words as an acknowledgment that the fault lies on the Russian military, Girkin said, “People can interpret it how you want”. From further review, he refused.
Last year, investigators published the materials of the interception of telephone conversations which, according to them, may indicate the involvement of high-ranking Russian leaders to send SAM “Buk” in the East of Ukraine. In the conversation allegedly involved Vladislav Surkov, who until recently was one of the main advisers of President Putin to Ukraine and Deputy head of the FSB border service, Colonel-General Andrei Burlaka.
67-year-old Putin denies the Russian involvement in the Downing of flight MH17. Investigators believe that the separatists shot down the airliner by mistake, mistaking it for a Ukrainian military plane.
Girkin also known as Igor Strelkov, said that does not recognize the international court in the Hague and will not voluntarily testify at the trial. “I’m not going to play in the opponent’s territory on their terms, hoping by this success, he said, the Ukrainian news website Gordon. — I do not expect mercy and understanding from the enemy.”
Girkin took part in the conflicts in Bosnia and Chechnya, admitted that in 2014, gave the order to shoot four of the Ukrainian “saboteurs”. He also said that he had personally executed the rebel separatists for crimes against the local population. According to him, the executions were perfectly legal, as conducted by the laws of war, adopted by Joseph Stalin.
Russian nationalist Girkin returned to Moscow in 2014 after the split with the Kremlin. Since then, he criticizes Putin’s lack of active support for separatists in Ukraine, as well as for alleged corruption. “Putin is worse than criminal,” he said.
Girkin also criticized the military campaign of the Kremlin in Syria. “This is not our war, he said. Russian fighters in Syria not protecting its people and not its government. To die there — there is no honor.”
Once Girkin praised by Russian state television, but now the Pro-Kremlin media made it into a blacklist. Girkin also came under EU sanctions and the United States.
Last year he said due to financial problems was forced to sell a gold medal which he was awarded Putin for participation in the Russian annexation of Crimea.
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Reader comments
Jason Walker
It is curious that the Russian apologists are silent when there are such messages. Usually they scream that this is “fake news disseminated by vile West” or that “Russia has nothing to do with it, she was set up opposing the West”. I have the impression that in this case they just shrug their shoulders and take in the views…
Commentator
So the Kremlin has decided to offer a lamb to the slaughter. Relatives of victims of MH17 will not succeed in the present proceedings before the court while in the Hague will not cause Putin. However, one of his mob competitors may be first to solve the whole thing…
One foot in the grave
From a civilian aircraft at a military radar is a completely different signal, such as from military aircraft. It is transmitted by the transponder, showing that flies a civilian plane. This was a premeditated action carried out under the control of military unit.
Mencius
“International investigation in absentia brought him another two Russian and one Ukrainian accusation that they delivered SAM “Buk” in the combat area. The trial opened in March in the Hague. None of the suspects in court is not present”.
Since Putin Girkin no longer protects, he must be alarmed as it can be in the Hague, and will be forced to answer questions personally.
Captain Reynolds
“A former officer of the Russian intelligence claimed “moral responsibility” for the deaths of hundreds of people on Board a passenger airliner shot down in the skies over Eastern Ukraine”.
No, the responsibility for this heinous crime bears Putin, and the plane was not shot down by “Pro-Kremlin separatists”, he was shot down by Russian soldiers.
Helios
The CIA and the NSA certainly has significant materials of interception, but they are silent.
Mr Man
Maybe they are silent because of the fact that these materials are rehabilitated Putin.
