Malaysia Airlines plane crash: Ukraine fighter jet was 'shot down by Russia' earlier before the Malaysia Airlines crash

The SU-25 fighter plane was allegedly brought down on Wednesday night but Russia denies the accusation calling it "absurd"

A Ukrainian fighter plane flying over the east of the country is believed to have been shot down by Russian jets. The plane is said to have been hit as it flew close to the border by a pair of Russian jets flying in tandem - but the country denies this.

The accusation was made before a Malaysia Airlines plane carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew was shot down over Ukraine.

It is the first time Ukranian authorities - fighting to quell a pro-Russia separatist movement in the east of the country - has directly accused Russia of using air power in the war.

In a previous attack on a military transporter, which Kiev said was launched from Russia, the government was unable to specify whether it came from land-based missiles or airborne. This time the Ukranians are positive but Russia's defence ministry called the accusation "absurd".

The SU-25 fighter plane was allegedly brought down on Wednesday night near Amvrosiyivka, about 15km from the Russian border. According to sources, It was hit by rockets as it wheeled away from the border.

A spokesman for the Ukranian Defence Ministry said: "It is likely that this was carried out by air-to-air rockets from the Russian Airforce which were patrolling the border in a pair."

The pilot safely ejected and was rescued by Ukranian forces. The downing came against a background of increasingly strident charges of direct Russian involvement in the three and a half month conflict in which the pro-Western government in Kiev is fighting to put down.

Moscow denies orchestrating the rebellion which wants closer ties with Russia rather than Europe.

Five Ukrainian servicemen had been killed in the past few days which brings to more than 270 the number killed since the government launched its  "anti-terrorist" operation in April to crush the rebels.

Malaysia Airlines plane crash leaves nine Brits among 298 dead after plane 'shot down' 

The Malaysia Airlines MH17 plane came down over Ukraine as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Site of the crash in Ukraine

In summary nine Britons are known to have been among the 298 passengers and crew killed aboard the jet, which is thought to have been hit by a surface to air missile.

More than 150 of those killed were Dutch, while 27 Australians are also known to have perished. No group has claimed responsibility for the tragedy, although Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has blamed Russian-backed separatists while the US has called on Russia to help de-escalate the violence in eastern Ukraine.

The White House has also called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the disaster, and offered its assistance.

Malaysia Airlines said it would release full details of those on board when it finishes contacting the next of kin.

The disaster follows the disappearance of another of the airline's planes, Flight MH370 on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing earlier this year.

Malaysia Airlines said it was diverting all of its European flights onto alternative routes following the downing of Flight MH17, while the US has banned its commercial airlines from flying over eastern Ukraine.