MH17 Ukraine said today it had suspended offensive operations in its military campaign in east Ukraine to help international experts reach the downed Malaysian airliner’s crash site, but separatists were continuing to attack its positions.

Kiev said on the Facebook website of what it calls its ‘anti-terrorist operation’ (ATO) against pro-Russian rebels in the east that it was heeding urgings by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to stop fighting near the plane crash site.

“On July 31, troops involved in the active ATO phase are not conducting military operations apart from protecting their own positions from attack,” it said. “But mercenary fighters of the

Russian terrorists are not respecting any international agreements and requests.”

The rebels have accused Kiev of blocking access to the Malaysian airliner crash site by fighting in the area.

- Reuters