The conclusions of this preliminary report mostly present what we already know, a few interesting new details though. Most of the phone taps do not present much information, we do not know what is being moved in each case, only one references Buk directly but its hard to say on the basis of this that a Russian Buk was actually there or was used.
Interestingly the JIT back away from naming the exact model of the missile used, instead using the more general 9M38 designation. Perhaps learning from mistakes in the original investigation and the evidence presented by Almaz Antey. The main attack on Almaz Antey's version is the second wire tap regarding recollections of Ukrainian positions.
The JIT reference a lot more wiretapping, satellite evidence, it will be interesting to hear/see what is eventually released.
Thompson_NCL wrote:It's the only logical conclusion :-
1. The Rebels were not using aircraft, so Ukraine were unlikely to be shooting at aircraft willy nilly.
2. Ukraine is unlikely to have shot it down intentionally because that would be extremely risky, turning the West against them if they were caught.
3. Russia proper is unlikely to have shot it down knowing the impact it would have on their international reputation if they were caught. In fact it could be seen as an act of war. I doubt Russia would do it.
4. The Rebels were shooting down Ukrainian aircraft in the area.
It seems obvious to me the Rebels shot it down. Presumably as they thought it was a Ukrainian aircraft. This is supported by radio chatter captured at the time.
1. Ukraine accused Russia of using an aircraft to shoot down one of its aircraft prior to the MH17 loss, this was the aerial threat Ukraine would have been concerned about and Ukraine did deploy its anti-aircraft batteries into the conflict zone.
2/3. I think MH17 can definitely be viewed as an unintentional outcome of the conflict, irrespective of who shot it down. Civil jets have been shot down by accident before.
4. Yep, though if it was rebels or Russians acting as rebels is another matter.