A pro-Russian separatist leader has said his forces will “guarantee the safety of international experts” looking to examine the crash site of flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, if Ukraine agrees to a ceasefire.
The news comes as searchers working for the Ukrainian government say they have found 196 bodies at the site. The State Emergency Service has complained that their worked was “complicated by armed separatists at the site who hinder the work of SES units.”
International monitors are expected to visit the site later today. A group attempted to inspect the site yesterday but were heavily restricted by the armed separatists at the site.
There were 298 people on board flight MH17. Pro-Russian rebels at the scene have confirmed that some bodies were taken away. The BBC reports that some of the bodies were taken to the nearby town of Torez.
Ukraine has accused Moscow, and the pro-Russian separatists, of tampering with or destroying evidence to cover up their involvement in the shooting down of the passenger jet. Moscow denies any involvement and has instead said the Ukrainian military is responsible.
