MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Investigators probing into the flight MH17 disaster in Ukraine must take into account the data from Russian radars that have been handed over to the Netherlands, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing.
She said the Dutch side had confirmed through mass media it had received the data and promised to examine them and make comments.
"Russia has not had a response yet," Zakharova said. "We are still waiting for one from our Dutch counterparts, although sufficient time has elapsed and one can already expect an opinion and the understanding what the plans are."
"Honestly speaking, we do count on that, the more so, since the primary data refute all preliminary conclusions made by the investigative group," Zakharova said. "As we have said more than once, and any competent specialist will confirm that, radar data are irrefutable and impartial. They cannot be forged or changed somehow. These data show quite clearly that the launch of the missile that presumably downed the Malaysian plane could not have been made in the area of the village of Pervomaiskoye, contrary to what the investigative group said."
Zakharova recalled corresponding statements from Russian Defense Ministry officials and the concern Almaz-Antey to the effect the launch of a missile from Pervomaiskoye, had it taken place in reality, could not but have been reflected in the radar data. But it is not there, Zakharova said.
"We believe it is extremely important to take this information into account and keep it in mind in the further investigation process, including the final conclusions of the investigative team," she said. "Radar data cannot be ignored. A large amount of what the Russian side had shared with its partners was ignored, but doing the same in this particular case will be impossible, because otherwise this will be tantamount to a crime against fair and transparent investigation.".