RT are going big on this story now, saying it's a big development.
BREAKING: U.S. President Barack Obama says the crash of a Malaysian airliner in eastern Ukraine "looks like it may be a terrible tragedy."
Obama, in his first public comments on the July 17 crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, said U.S. officials were working to determine whether there were American citizens on board.
He added that he had directed his national security team to stay in "close contact" with the Ukrainian government.
He said that the U.S. will offer any assistance to determine the cause of the crash.
Obama said that the "thoughts and prayers" of the United States were with the families of the passengers aboard the plane.
His comments came at the start of a previously scheduled event in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Kyiv Post has a transcript of a phone conversation, which according to Ukraine's security service, the SBU, is between a separatist commander and a Russian military official. Another leaked conversation is purportedly between separatists:
Igor Bezler: We have just shot down a plane. Group Minera. It fell down beyond Yenakievo (Donetsk Oblast).
Vasili Geranin: Pilots. Where are the pilots?
IB: Gone to search for and photograph the plane. Its smoking.
VG: How many minutes ago?
IB: About 30 minutes ago.
SBU comment: After examining the site of the plane the terrorists come to the conclusion that they have shot down a civilian plane. The next part of the conversation took place about 40 minutes later.
“Major”: These are Chernukhin folks who shot down the plane. From the Chernukhin check point. Those cossacks who are based in Chernukhino.
“Grek”: Yes, Major.
"Major": The plane fell apart in the air. In the area of Petropavlovskaya mine. The first “200” (code word for dead person). We have found the first “200”. A Civilian.
“Greek”: Well, what do you have there?
“Major”: In short, it was 100 percent a passenger (civilian) aircraft.
“Greek”: Are many people there?
“Major”: Holy sh__t! The debris fell right into the yards (of homes).
“Greek”: What kind of aircraft?
“Major”: I haven’t ascertained this. I haven’t been to the main sight. I am only surveying the scene where the first bodies fell. There are the remains of internal brackets, seats and bodies.
“Greek”: Is there anything left of the weapon?
“Major”: Absolutely nothing. Civilian items, medicinal stuff, towels, toilet paper.
“Greek”: Are there documents?
“Major”: Yes, of one Indonesian student. From a university in Thompson.
The self-styled prime minister of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic," Aleksandr Borodai, has been quoted by the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti as saying that pro-Russia rebels intend to call a three-day cease fire to allow an investigation of the crash of a Malaysian airliner.
He said international organizations would be allowed into the conflict-plagued region.