Pro-Moscow rebel fighters using a Russian-made missile launcher are seen as the most likely culprits in the attack on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
Rebels have brought down several Ukraine military transports in recent weeks, but this attack is potentially a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Military analysts argue only a sophisticated surface-to-air weapon system could have struck the passenger jet cruising at 10 kilometres above eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry has claimed the plane, carrying 298 passengers and crew, was shot down by a Russian system known as a “Buk” - a heavy launcher mounted on a vehicle similar to a tank.
Hugh Dolon, a former Australian air force intelligence officer, said the plane was well beyond the range of a shoulder launched missile carried by a man.
“That is a totally different class,’’ Mr Dolon said.
Shoulder fired missiles typically hone into the heat emissions of a target’s engines.
But the Buk, known to NATO as the SA-17 “Grizzly”, locks on targets with radar guidance and needs a team of trained operators to fire.
Ukraine has accused Russia of supplying the missile launcher to the rebels, although Ukraine’s military also reportedly has the system.
Suspicion for the attack has fallen on rebel commander Igor Girkin - who goes by the name Strelkov, or “shooter”.
Grikin reportedly posted a chilling confession on Russian social media shortly after the attack, telling the Ukraine government: “We did warn you - do not fly in our sky.”
The message was deleted shortly after it became apparent this is a passenger jet.
Alleged recordings of rebels discussing the attack also circulated online but could not be verified.
Rebels have shot down several Ukraine military helicopters and last month shot down a military transport, killing 49 soldiers.
The radar on the Buk system can distinguish civilian aircraft from military jets, but the launcher can also function without this safeguard.
Sergei Kavtaradze of the separatists’ self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic denied any involvement.
“[It] was not us who shot down the plane because we don’t have this hardware,” he said.
With agencies
