Russia and Ukraine rebels tied to MH17

Investigators piecing together a criminal case in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine said evidence suggests links between Russia and separatists in the region were closer than previously believed.

The joint investigation team (JIT) revealed details of secure communications between Russian officials and rebels of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) rebel group.

“The JIT has information that indicates that the influence of the Russian Federation extended to administrative, financial and military matters in the DPR,” the team said.

In June, investigators announced they had charged four people, including three Russians, with murder after the 2014 downing of Flight MH17. All 298 passengers and crew were killed.

The suspects are due to go on trial in a secure courtroom near Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in March.

Russia has repeatedly denied involvement.