Ukraine’s “Krasnodon” video actually in Lugansk

One of the pillars of the Ukrainian government evidence regarding MH17 has been a video, supposedly taken on the border with Russia in Krasnodon. Like the previous information provided about the Buk 512, the information appears to be incorrect.

The Ukrainian government has resisted providing much information about MH17 and particularly the movements of the anti-aircraft missile systems under its control.

Today evidence is mounting that the video clip they issued – which has been widely used to implicate Russia in the downing of MH17 – may not have been filmed in Krasnodon, on the Russian border, but in Lugansk 50km away.

Here is the video:

According to LBC:

“The film was allegedly shot by a police surveillance squad at dawn on Friday as the truck headed to the city of Krasnodon in the direction of the Russian border.

The footage, released on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian interior minister, cannot be independently verified.

Interior minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his page: “Criminals try to hide the traces of this heinous crime (but do) not succeed.

“Security Service and Interior Ministry of Ukraine has collected and collects more irrefutable facts and evidence.”

The footage has now apparently been identified, in the suburbs of Lugansk, in an area which has seen ATO (pro-Kiev “anti-terrorism operation”) activity. This particular intersection is not on a direct route toward Russia: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@48.5448229,39.2648745,730m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e4

When this footage was taken, whether it does show a BUK, whether it is in the possession of the pro-Russian or pro-Kiev forces, why the full footage hasn’t been released and why the Ukrainian authorities did not reveal the accurate location of the video are questions which have not been answered.

The consequence of this latest revelation should be firm demands for full explanations and openness from the Ukrainian authorities. It is clear they wish to ensure that Russia is blamed for the MH17 incident, and are willing to provide partial and inaccurate information to that end. All parties should release the data and information at their disposal and stop playing games.

The overall situation in Ukraine is increasingly worrying.

1) The MH17 disaster is being used to justify increasing levels of violence, leading to heavy civilian casualties.
2) The atmosphere in Ukraine is increasingly friendly to the numerous openly fascist militia in the country.
3) Today the Communist Party of Ukraine was banned.

We will quote Pastor Niemöller in this connection:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Post updated 24/07/2014 – Additional imagery from the intersection has been provided by a local resident. Arsen Avakov has been contacted via Twitter on https://twitter.com/AvakovArsen without reply.

Update 30/07/2014 Despite the geolocation of the BUK video to Lugansk, and pictures at the location being taken to confirm it media, including Paris Match, have continued to insist it is in Krasnodon (ie heading into Russia). The reason for this has been explained by Paris Match journalist Alfred De Montesquiou:

@HRIMark @ParisMatch regarding Krasnodon, we have official, on record Ukranian source saying it's the picture's location.

— AlfredDeMontesquiou (@AdeMontesquiou) July 30, 2014