Kerry links plane tragedy to separatists

Secretary of State John Kerry provided new evidence Sunday that Russian-backed separatists downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 but refused to directly blame the Kremlin for the tragedy.

{mosads}Appearing on CNN, Kerry said U.S. intelligence detected a missile launch from a rebel-held area on Thursday and that “our trajectory” showed the rocket hit the passenger jet.

Additionally, he said, rebel commanders bragged about downing a plane on social media immediately following the launch, only to take down the posts when it became clear the plane was carrying passengers.

“We have enormous input about this which points fingers,” Kerry said.

“It’s pretty clear that this was a system that was transferred from Russia. We know with confidence, with confidence, that the Ukrainians did not have such a system in the area at that time. It clearly points a very clear finger at the separatists.”

At the same time, Kerry declined to assign blame to Russian authorities for the plane’s demise.

“People can make their own judgment about what they read here,” he said. “That is why we have called for a full-fledged investigation of what happened.”

The interview brought forth new evidence that will raise pressure on Russian officials to explain exactly how they are providing support to separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Kerry said that a convoy of about 150 vehicles carrying artillery, rocket launchers and other heavy-duty equipment recently crossed over from Russia and was handed over to rebels.

Video obtained by the government also shows a missile launcher moving back into Russia “with at least one missing missile on it,” Kerry said.