Breaking news: Malaysian Airliner shot down over Ukraine

[telemann.livejournal.com]

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 with 295 people aboard crashed on Thursday in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, an area roiled by fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials said the plane might have been shot down, possibly by a Russian-made antiaircraft system. Eastern Ukraine has been roiled for months by a violent pro-Russian separatist uprising in which a number of military aircraft have been downed. But this would be the first commercial airline disaster to result from the hostilities. Despite the turmoil in eastern Ukraine, the commercial airspace over that part of the country is a heavily trafficked route and has remained open.



New York Times with more information, video and analysis.


The incident touched off immediate finger-pointing between Russian separatists and the Ukrainian government. Eastern Ukraine separatist leader Alexander Borodai told Reuters that Ukrainian military forces shot the jet down, but Kiev denied involvement and labeled the incident a "terrorist act." The President of Ukraine on behalf of the State expresses its deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and relatives of those killed in this terrible tragedy," said a statement released by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's office. "Every possible search and rescue effort is being made." Separatist groups reportedly blocked Ukrainian officials from the scene, and later said the "black box," or flight data recorder, had been sent to Moscow. KT McFarland, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense under President Ronald Reagan, and a Fox News national security analyst said the attack was most likely the work of Russian separatists, not the Russian or Ukrainian armies.

Source.

Comments

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

I don't want to debate history as much as point out that the countries of Eastern Europe should be free countries to trade and deal as they please, and are not mere satellites of Russia. Dealing with the West and not towing the Russian line should not be seen as cause for invasion and annexation.

[mudryikot.livejournal.com]

And why on earth should US meddle in our relations with Ukraine or Moldova or Poland?

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

To speak of meddling is too jealous. Trading and furthering the bonds of democracy and liberalism is not 'meddling'. The problem seems to be a desire of Putin's to restore the old Soviet empire and turning those countries back into puppets, and this is a problem.

[mudryikot.livejournal.com]

If you want to speak of trade - US is imposing more limits on other countries trade than vice versa.

[chron-job.livejournal.com]

> And why on earth should US meddle in our relations with Ukraine or Moldova or Poland?

This makes me think of a line from The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

"What do you mean you've never been to Alpha Centauri? Oh for heaven sake mankind it's only four light years away you know! I'm sorry but if you can't be bothered to take an interest in local affairs that's your own regard. Energise the demolition beams! God I don't know…apathetic bloody planet, I've no sympathy at all… "

Why? ... because the world is tiny, and flat, and the historical sphere's of influence have become so interpenetrated as to be pointless. We depend on the solidarity of humanity to keep systems of power in check, all the time knowing that we are also part of those systems, and can expect to be kept in check in our turn.