The media has already decided that pro-Russia rebels or separatists are responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. It may be true, as it seems like it at this point with all the reports that have come out. But now, this CBS report mentions that a US Official says that pro-Russian rebels couldn’t have operated the SA-11 by themselves. All we know for sure is that 298 people are dead.
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| Pro-Russian rebels likely couldn’t down MH17 alone |
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Based on signals the missile system gave off, analysts identified it as likely to be a Russian-made SA-11, a sophisticated system of radars, command posts and launchers. Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said the rebels probably couldn’t have operated on their own.
“It strains credulity to think that it could be used by separatists without at least some measure of Russian support and technical assistance,” Kirby said.
That assistance could range from training rebel missile crews back in Russia up to Russian personnel actually conducting the launch that brought down the plane. Earlier in the fighting, the rebels had proven they could shoot down lower flying transport planes and helicopters, but never anything flying as high as an airliner.