Though Ukrainian military aircraft have been shot down over eastern Ukraine by rebels, and the area has been the scene of fierce fighting, the route taken by the Malaysian jet appears to have been subject to no flight restrictions, the International Air Transport Association, an industry group, said.
Eurocontrol, a European air safety organization, said the plane apparently was flying at approximately 10,000 meters (33,000 feet), which was authorized, although Ukrainian authorities had closed the airspace at lower altitudes.
In a counterclaim, a pro-Moscow separatist leader said he was certain that it was Ukrainian troops who downed the airliner, but also offered …read more
Source: San Francisco Chronicle