Ukrainian separatists claim mistaken MH17 for Aeroflot jetliner

Ukraine claimed that pro-Russian separatists have shot down the aircraft Malaysia Airlines MH17 accidentally after assuming the plane was owned by the Russian airline, Aeroflot. It was allegedly done to attract Russia’s attention for the involvement of Ukraine invasion.

According to The Moscow Times, the latest revelation was echoed by Ukraine’s Chief Security Service, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko on Thursday, saying that the separatists aimed the Aeroflot plane en route to Larnaca, Cyprus from Moscow near the route taken by the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

The separatist have been “instructed” to disarm anti-aircraft missiles at Pervomaisk – a village located east of Ukraine but because the group is made up mostly of Russian citizens, they have been confused with another village of the same name and is about 100 miles away from each other, said Nalyvaichenko in a statement issued agencies.

Nalyvaichenko views this as a huge mistake as it has led separatists involved in the path traveled by MH17 instead Aeroflot route as planned.

This also indicates that the missile was launched from areas controlled by separatist groups and not in areas controlled by Ukrainian army, said Nalyvaichenko in Ukraine news agency, Liga Novosti, and that the attack is planned to permit aggression started (by Russia) following the loss of innocent lives.

The agency issued the statement after an investigation revealed Ukraine invasion by Russia on July 18 – a day after the downed MH17 incident – but due to the error, the plan was amended.

NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen had alerted Moscow to retreat or face tighter sanctions.

Earlier reports have indicated that over 20 thousand Russian army members are on vigilant near the Ukraine border as they prepare themselves to invade Ukraine -- on the pretext of ensuring peace at the crisis-stricken area.