US Intelligence officials claim rebels shot down flight MH17 in error

Speculation continues over who and what caused last week’s air disaster over Ukrainian skies.

US intelligence officers now say they are sure pro- Russian rebels used a SA -11 surface -to-air missile to shoot down Flight MH17 , but that it was most likely to have been a mistake.

However they offered no evidence of direct Russian government involvement.

Meanwhile US President Barack Obama visited the Dutch embassy in Washington to sign a book of condolence.

“This is an opportunity for me….to assure the Dutch people that we will work with them to make sure that loved ones are recovered, that a proper investigation is conducted and that ultimately justice is done,” said Obama.

The US intelligence is based on intercepts, satellite photos and social media postings by separatists which have been authenticated by US experts.

In their briefing to reporters they went on to accuse Moscow of “creating the conditions” that led to the tragedy.