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| MH17 crash: Dutch PM rules out military mission to secure site | MH17 crash: Dutch PM rules out military mission to secure site |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says sending out an international military force to secure the site of the downed Malaysian Airlines plane in eastern Ukraine is "unrealistic". | Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says sending out an international military force to secure the site of the downed Malaysian Airlines plane in eastern Ukraine is "unrealistic". |
| The site is currently controlled by pro-Russia rebels who have been accused of shooting down flight MH17. | The site is currently controlled by pro-Russia rebels who have been accused of shooting down flight MH17. |
| All 298 people on board - most of them Dutch - died. | All 298 people on board - most of them Dutch - died. |
| In the latest fighting in the area, 13 people were killed as troops try to seize Horlivka from the rebels. | |
| Separately, the US has released images to back its claim of Russian firing into Ukraine. | Separately, the US has released images to back its claim of Russian firing into Ukraine. |
| The images, showing marks on the ground and impact craters, suggest fire from multiple rocket launchers, the US state department says. | The images, showing marks on the ground and impact craters, suggest fire from multiple rocket launchers, the US state department says. |
| The pictures also indicate the separatists are using heavy artillery supplied by Russia, it added. | The pictures also indicate the separatists are using heavy artillery supplied by Russia, it added. |
| Russia denies supplying the rebels with heavy weaponry or firing across the frontier with Ukraine. | Russia denies supplying the rebels with heavy weaponry or firing across the frontier with Ukraine. |
| 'Risk' | 'Risk' |
| The rebels have been accused of shooting flight MH17 down by mistake, but Russia blames the Ukrainian military, an allegation Ukraine denies. | The rebels have been accused of shooting flight MH17 down by mistake, but Russia blames the Ukrainian military, an allegation Ukraine denies. |
| The crash site has yet to be properly investigated and some bodies have still not been recovered. An international push is under way to get the site secured. | The crash site has yet to be properly investigated and some bodies have still not been recovered. An international push is under way to get the site secured. |
| However, Mr Rutte, speaking to reporters in The Hague, said: "Getting the military upper hand for an international mission in this area is, according to our conclusion, not realistic." | However, Mr Rutte, speaking to reporters in The Hague, said: "Getting the military upper hand for an international mission in this area is, according to our conclusion, not realistic." |
| He said all options were being looked at. The Netherlands, Australia and Malaysia had been considering a joint operation. | He said all options were being looked at. The Netherlands, Australia and Malaysia had been considering a joint operation. |
| Dutch experts on Sunday cancelled plans to head to the site after international officials said fighting in the region was still going on. | Dutch experts on Sunday cancelled plans to head to the site after international officials said fighting in the region was still going on. |
| "We can't take the risk," said Alexander Hug, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). | "We can't take the risk," said Alexander Hug, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). |
| There are still plans for Australia and the Netherlands to deploy 49 police officers, following a deal struck by Malaysia with the rebels to allow international police at the site. | There are still plans for Australia and the Netherlands to deploy 49 police officers, following a deal struck by Malaysia with the rebels to allow international police at the site. |
| "Our objective is to get in, get cracking and to get out," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. | "Our objective is to get in, get cracking and to get out," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. |
| The eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have been gripped by heavy fighting as government forces try to retake rebel strongholds. | The eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have been gripped by heavy fighting as government forces try to retake rebel strongholds. |
| Aside from the fighting in Horlivka, shelling was also reported close to the MH17 crash site, near the town of Grabove, on Sunday. | Aside from the fighting in Horlivka, shelling was also reported close to the MH17 crash site, near the town of Grabove, on Sunday. |
| Rebels have prevented journalists going to the site and Ukrainian government forces are said to be nearby, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in eastern Ukraine. | Rebels have prevented journalists going to the site and Ukrainian government forces are said to be nearby, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in eastern Ukraine. |
| A total of 227 coffins containing the remains of the victims have been sent for identification to the Netherlands, which is leading the crash investigation. | A total of 227 coffins containing the remains of the victims have been sent for identification to the Netherlands, which is leading the crash investigation. |
| The first MH17 victim has been identified, though officials did not reveal any details. | The first MH17 victim has been identified, though officials did not reveal any details. |
| Officials say the exact number of bodies already collected will be determined only after forensic experts have completed their examination. | Officials say the exact number of bodies already collected will be determined only after forensic experts have completed their examination. |
| Russia said on Sunday it had set up its own team of experts to investigate the plane crash, according to RIA Novosti agency. | Russia said on Sunday it had set up its own team of experts to investigate the plane crash, according to RIA Novosti agency. |