MH17: Tony Abbott urges Vladimir Putin to come clean

Tony Abbott has urged Vladimir Putin to ‘stop the KGB-style trickery’ and own up to the destruction of MH17.

A computerised image of the Buk missile launch.

International investigators have called for information on two Russian speakers known as “Orion” and “Delfin” and offered possible immunity for insiders terrified of Russian repercussions after the official finding that it was a Russian Buk missile that destroyed Malaysia Airlines MH17.

The public hunt for those ­involved in the murderous crime comes as Tony Abbott urged Vladimir Putin to “stop the KGB-style trickery” and own up to the destruction of MH17.

The former prime minister, who once threatened to “shirt front” the Russian leader over the downing of the passenger jet, said that even if MH17 was shot down unintentionally, the international criminal investigation proved that Russians from Mr Putin down acted with criminal recklessness in allowing that to happen.

“This painstaking, thoroughgoing forensic investigation confirms what we thought within a couple of days of the atrocity, namely that a missile battery came from Russia, went into rebel-held eastern Ukraine, fired, downed the jet and once they realised what they’d done they went back into Russia,” Mr Abbott said.

“Beyond any doubt Russia has to be held responsible for this.”

Mr Abbott said Russian military missile batteries did not just casually wander across a border, casually fire and then casually go back into Russia without authorisation.

“He (Putin) did authorise the participation of Russian military units in this conflict and one of his units has now been found, beyond any reasonable doubt, to have committed this terrible crime.”

Computerised video shows the missile transporter.

The countries involved in the joint criminal investigation — Australia, Malaysia, Ukraine, Belgium and The Netherlands — say they have identified 100 people of interest linked to the crash or ­involved in the transport of the Buk into rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine which resulted in the death of 298 people, including 38 Australian citizens and residents on July 17, 2014.

For the first time the investigation has revealed the names of two witnesses they are seeking. Phone calls of Orion and Delfin were intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence and played to the families of the victims on Wednesday, one revealing the urgent need for a Buk and another showing that the Buk was delivered.

Orion is believed to be Andrey Ivanovich and Delfin is believed to be Nikolay Fiodorovich, the Dutch police said last night, as they called for more information on the pair.

“Do you recognise the voice of ‘Orion’ and/or ‘Delfin’, do you know their full names, their whereabouts, or do you have any information concerning these people or their connection to the Buk that allegedly shot down MH17?” the appeal says, adding that the investigators pay serious attention to the security of witnesses.

“If you are concerned about your safety, various protective measures can be taken,’’ they said.

The five countries have ­extended their commitment to 2018 to unearth more evidence to prosecute those responsible. Dutch chief prosecutor Fred Westerbeke said the appeal to ­insiders was critical to determine the role different people played. The investigation is trying to narrow down if the crew decided to fire the Buk themselves or if they followed orders.

“This is important when determining the offences committed by the alleged perpetrators,” Mr Westerbeke said.

Russia has rejected the international investigation findings and has threatened to use its veto to prevent a case being brought before the UN Security Council tribunal.