Germany’s foreign intelligence agency has concluded that Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was downed in Ukraine by pro-Russian rebels.

German magazine Der Spiegel reports that the head of intelligence said the rebels used a Russian Buk missile defence system from a Ukrainian base.

The crash over rebel-held territory killed all 298 passengers and crew, however, Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko believes the West to be behind the incident.

“The release of the German intelligence that the Malaysian plane was shot down with a Buk missile system proves that the western intelligence agencies have no doubts who stands behind this crime. However for political reasons they cannot admit this version.”

Kyiv blamed the pro-Russian forces, accusing Moscow of arming them. An accusation flatly denied.

European governments have largely avoided pointing the finger. The Dutch government is running two investigations into the crash and has yet to draw any conclusions.