MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Emergencies Ministry addressed its Ukrainian colleagues with a request to conduct joint works at the crash site of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane in eastern Ukraine, the head of the Ministry announced Thursday.
“Unfortunately, an accident took place in the Donetsk Region. In accordance with the regulations of international documents, our Ukrainian colleagues are currently working at the site. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry has filed an official request and an offer to allow our rescuers to join this difficult operation,” Vladimir Puchkov said.
A Malaysian 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.
Earlier in the day, a source told RIA Novosti that there were no Russian citizens on board the plane.