Malaysia Airlines flight MH17: Possible Buk missile fragments found in east Ukraine

Dutch investigators claim to have found fragments that possibly belong to a Russian made Buk missile in the area where Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in east Ukraine. International and Dutch experts are examining "several parts, possibly originating from a BUK surface-air-missile system", said a joint statement from prosecutors and the Dutch Safety Board.

"These parts have been secured during a previous recovery-mission in eastern Ukraine and are in possession of the criminal investigation team MH17 and the Dutch Safety Board," it said.

Flight MH17 crashed en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpar in July 2014, killing all 298 people on board. Members of an international team of investigators are currently meeting in the Hague to discuss a draft Dutch Safety Board report into what caused the crash.

In a joint statement, the teams said the fragments "can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17". It added: "For that reason, the JIT further investigates the origin of these parts. The JIT will internationally enlist the help of experts, among others forensic specialists and weapon-experts." But they stressed they have not proved the parts' "causal connection" with the crash.

Experts widely believe MH17 was brought down by a Buk and in a preliminary report in September 2014, the Dutch investigators said damage to the aircraft was consistent with it having been hit by a large number of small objects, consistent with an exploding Buk.

In July, Russia vetoed UN plans to form an international tribunal to put those responsible for downing MH17 on trial. The Dutch Safety Board is to publish its final report on what downed the flight in October.