The route of the Malaysian jet appears to have been a subject to no flight restrictions. The Boeing was flying just 1,000 feet (300 metres) above restricted airspace during the time when it was shot down. Both the government and the pro-Russia separatist in war denied taking down the aircraft, though some believe that it must have been pro-Russian separatists, who are responsible for the act.

As plumes of black smoke rose up near a rebel-held village of Hrabove, an Associated Press journalist counted at least 22 bodies at the wreckage site 40km  (25 miles) from the Russian border, reported Hindustan Times.

The area has seen severe fighting between the two sides since few days and the village is under the control of pro-Russia separatists. Even the fighters at the scene warned journalists against filming videos.

The entire episode seems to have had a ripple effect in India with the Director General Civil Aviation instructing Jet Airways and Air India to avoid the airspace over war-torn Ukraine.