Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 downed by shrapnel: Kiev

Ukrainian security officials have said that the downed Malaysia Airlines aero plane in eastern Ukraine suffered an explosive loss of pressure after it was punctured by shrapnel from a missile. They said the information came from the plane’s flight data recorders, which are being analysed by experts in UK. However, it remains unclear who fired the missile, with Ukrain’s government and the rebels blaming each other. Many of the 298 people killed on board flight MH17 were from the Netherlands. Dutch investigators leading the inquiry into the crash have refused to comment on the claims. Heavy fighting has prevented an international police force composed of Dutch and Australian officers from reaching the crash site for a 2nd consecutive day today. Ukraine’s army said on Monday it had managed to capture two towns near the wreckage in its bid to win back territory from the hands of the pro-Russian separatists, according to BBC.