by ship from the St Petersburg area . It had previously been reported that the Russians might seek to place the Iskander - M missiles in Kaliningrad but not until 2018 - 19 . If confirmed , the move would be seen by western governments as another sign that Russia is seeking to establish facts on the ground , from eastern Europe to the Middle East , before a new US president takes office in January .
All 298 people on board , most of them Dutch , were killed . The conclusions were based on thousands of wiretaps , photographs , witness statements and forensic tests during more than two years of inquiries into an incident which led to a sharp rise in tensions between Russia and the West . Among the key findings were : the plane was hit by a Russian - made Buk-9M38 missile ; the missile was fired from the rebel - held village of Pervomaysk in eastern Ukraine ; and the launcher was transportedmovement.transportartifact.bringcarryunloadinto Ukraine from Russia . " This Buk trailer came from the territory of the Russian Federation , and after the launch it was returned again to the territory of the Russian Federation , " said Wilbert Paulissen , chief investigator with the Dutch national police . The Ukrainian government said the findings pointed to Russia 's " direct involvement " .
A soldier fires a rocket launcher as other U.S. servicemen watch during the Exercise Noble Partner on May 14 . ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE / EPA The equipment was shipped across the Black Sea and transportedmovement.transportartifact.bringcarryunloadby rail to the military training area . For the Georgian military , the exercise has become a source of prestige . " We are proud to have them here and it ’s a unique opportunity to train with these advanced troops and this advanced equipment , " Lt . Col . Beka Ambroladze said .