MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims of a crash of a Malaysian passenger plane in Ukraine.
“My deep condolences over the crash of the Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine. This accident has claimed the lives of hundreds of people from various countries. It is a terrible tragedy for all those who lost their relatives and friends. I mourn for the victims,” the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his condolences to Malaysian Prime Minister Najob Razak.
“President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has expressed his deepest condolences to Prime Minister Najob Razak following the crash of a passenger plane of the Malaysia Airlines over Ukraine, which led to numerous casualties. The Russian leader asked to pass his most sincere words of compassion and support to the families and friends of the victims,” the Kremlin said.
A Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed near the town of Torez in the Donetsk Region on Thursday. There were at least 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board. The head of the Russian Emergencies Ministry confirmed earlier in the day that there were no Russian citizens on board the plane.