The prayers of the international community are with the families of those who lost their loved ones in Thursday’s ill-fated Malaysia Airlines aircraft that was apparently blown up in the sky by a surface-to-air missile in Ukrainian airspace. This is the second tragic incident for the airline. Malaysians have been left numb with grief and bereft of the power to comprehend the magnitude of this incident following the mysterious disappearance of flight MH370 a few months ago. Mere condemnation of such a wicked, cold and calculating deed by those who are determined to harvest from the spoils of war is not enough.
Quite naturally, Russian and Ukrainian authorities are blaming each other for the incident. Both sides are aware that Thursday’s cold-blooded action, following the launch of a Russian-made Buk-M radar-guided missile, could now be an important turning point in the crisis that grips the region — though it has not yet been established who triggered the weapon. The conflict in Ukraine, which has had a regional impact thus far, is now set to have international ramifications.
Given that the missile systems had Russian-made markings and following allegations that phone calls were intercepted between pro-Russian rebels after the plane was shot down, there is a growing acknowledgment that Russia could become increasingly isolated by the international community for its role in fomenting the current unrest. It will take a credible defence from President Vladimir Putin to argue that Russian-backed separatists were not behind the crime that involved trained personnel.
The global community must call for an immediate and independent inquiry. Russia and the Ukraine must cooperate completely and no stone must be left unturned to get to the truth and punish the perpetrators of this crime. Speculation must give way to fact so that families of the victims can allow for the healing process to begin.