Local Expert Weighs In On Downing of Malaysia Plane

 

He says the airliner was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatists. The plane was shot down near the border between Ukraine and Russia. 

 

The incident occurred one day after Obama announced broader economic sanctions against Russia for its threatening moves in Ukraine.

 

A Troy University lecturer and expert on Russia and Ukraine, Dr. Michael Slobodchikoff says there are three possibilities of who shot down the plane by accident. The least likely he says is that Russia’s behind it, more likely is the Ukrainian Army or the separatists. 

 

Regardless he says this event is most likely a game changer. He said,  “one of two options can occur. One is this will provide the pressure to bring all sides together to discuss and solve this crises. The other option is that if the separatists are to blame more pressure will be brought in, more sanctions against Russia. The US could possibly send more troops to NATO countries in the region and it will become a lot worse, the situation will become a lot worse before it gets better.”

 

According to international regulations, Ukraine should take the lead in investigating the crash. 

 

Ukraine has called for an international probe and the United States has offered to assist. But access to the site is dangerous.