One year on, shocking video emerges of Russian rebels looting MH17 victims

Footage has emerged of the immediate aftermath of the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 one year ago on Friday as Russian-backed rebels at the crash site realised it was a passenger jet. The armed separatists had reportedly been sent to the area to look for the wreckage of a fighter plane which had been shot down and express shock at finding the debris of a civilian airliner instead. The unedited footage taken by a commander of the rebel group shows a smouldering scene of devastation with fires still burning on the blackened earth and bodies of dead passengers clearly visible which the rebels proceed to rob.

Five paratroopers jumped from this plane.

Claim made by rebels at the crash site

Plane wreckage and luggage can also been seen strewn across the area. After initial incomprehension over what has happened, it soon dawned on the rebels the downed plane was a passenger jet and they begin ransacking through personal possessions. News Corp Australia, who obtained the footage, said it had handed over the video to a multinational inquiry team, which is investigating the atrocity. Nearly 40 of those on board the aircraft were Australian citizens. The crash site near the village of Hrabove is now marked by flowers and toys brought by locals in memory of the many children who died. Russia denies involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

This is passenger plane.

Rebels realise what has been shot down

Europe MH17 video