DHAKA: A Boeing 777 Malaysian airlines crashed in Ukraine near the Russian border, Interfax is reporting, citing "a source in the aviation circles."

"Boeing Malaysian airlines operate flights to Amsterdam — Kuala Lumpur for 50 miles before entering the airspace of Russia, began to decline, he was subsequently found burning on the ground in Ukraine," the source said, adding that 280 passengers and 15 crew members were onboard.

Military expert Dmitry Tymchuk says the Malaysia Airlines plane crashed to the north of Torez in the Donetsk region, according to Ukrainian journalist Myroslava.



The area is controlled by pro-Russian separatists who are fighting the Ukrainian army.

On July 8, the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine closed the airspace to civilian aircraft after a military transport plane was shot down.

The aircraft reportedly had to cross the Russian border at about 9:30 EDT.

Ukrainian activists have published a video they say shows the wreckage.

Source : BI

BDST: 2132 HRS JULY 17, 2014