On June 30, NATO Supreme Commander General Philip Breedlove warned the world that Russia was training the pro-Russian forces in east Ukraine to use surface-to-air missiles. The US believes Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down and a BUK missile system has the ability to hit targets over 80,000 feet in the air. This plane was at 33,000 feet.
“What we see in training on the east side of the border is big equipment, tanks, APCs, anti-aircraft capability, and now we see those capabilities being used on the west side of the border,” Breedlove said. “We have not seen training of MANPADS. But we have seen vehicle-borne capability being trained.”
At this press conference, Breedlove said he needed “more troops to counter the renewed military threat from Russia.” He also said the US had to stop any US troop withdrawal in Eastern Europe in Poland, the Baltics, and Romania.
“We may need to add additional rotational forces to cover the sustained and persistent presence that we are now envisioning,” Breedlove said.
After the attack, Ukraine released intercepted calls in which the pro-Russian forces allegedly admit they accidentally shot down flight MH17. On Friday morning, Kiev released more evidence that proves the forces are responsible for the tragedy.
“The SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) and the Interior Ministry have collected and continue to collect irrefutable evidence and proof that point to the authors of this tragedy from the terrorist organization DNR/LNR (Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic), and their Russian, Putinist masters,” said Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.
“The data we have allow us to state that the plane Boeing 777 was shot down by the Donetsk terrorists with the use of anti-missile system Buk M, which was transferred from Russia’s territory,” said SBU.
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