Military pilot accused of shooting down MH17 dies
UKRAINIAN SHOT HIMSELF AT HOME, SAY REPORTS
Reporter A UKRAINIAN military pilot who Russia claim shot down the MH17 flight has killed himself, according to the BBC and Ukrainian media reports.
A total of 298 people travelling on the plane, including Newcastle United fans Liam Sweeney, 28, and John Alder, 63, died after the jet was shot down over Ukraine in July 2014.
Liam and John were making their way to New Zealand, via Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, to watch United’s pre-season tour.
The plane was shot down during war in the Donbass region, between Ukraine and proRussian forces supported by Russian troops. Russia blamed Ukraine, saying Ukrainian military pilot Capt Vladyslav Voloshyn shot the passenger jet down. Ukraine has always strongly denied Russia’s allegation.
Ukrainian reports, cited by the BBC, say Capt Voloshyn has killed himself at his home in Mykolaiv.
Dutch investigators ruled a Russian Buk missile blew up the Malaysian Airlines jet. Other independent investigators have ruled Russians, or pro-Russian groups, were responsible, according to the evidence available. The BBC says Capt Voloshyn, 29, shot himself in front of family members in his flat on Sunday. His family says he had been suffering from depression, the reports say. The Russian Government continues to deny responsibility for shooting down MH17. Last month, the dad of Liam Sweeney, Barry, said his focus is on trying to find out how his son died in the crash. Mr Sweeney, 56, of Killingworth, was speaking as it emerged the family of New Zealander Rob Ayley, who was also killed in the tragedy, has received a million dollar compensation payout. His family has reportedly received a payout, believed to be around $1.8m (£1.3m), from Malaysian Airlines in a confidential settlement.