Oleksandr Danyliuk on MH-17 crash: The aggressor won’t escape punishment

The aggressor will not escape punishment - war crimes have no statute of limitations. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyliu. Today, Ukraine recalls the 298 killed in the crash of the MH-17 flight of Malaysian airlines. This very day five years ago, the militia shot down the aircraft near Torez in the temporarily occupied territory.

The International Investigation Commission, which also includes Ukraine, has proved that the aircraft was shot down from the Buk surface-to-air missile system which belongs to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, the NSDC Secretary reminded.

At the same time, he stressed, though Russia's guilt was de-facto proven, the aggressor invents new versions, disguise its crime and distract the international community with imaginary problems.

"Yesterday, the aggressor country initiated a meeting of the UN Security Council on the "problem" of the Ukrainian "language law", - Mr. Danyliuk said. - It's an obvious attempt to shift the focus on the eve of the anniversary."

The NSDC secretary stressed that the investigation is ongoing, so it is important to keep talking about the tragedy of the MN-17 flight.

"We have no right to forget past tragedies behind the information noise. - he said. - Today, I share the grief of the relatives and friend of those perished. We can do the most important thing for them - to prove that Ukraine and the world do not leave such crimes without punishment".