The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted for a resolution demanding full access to the area where debris from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 fell after it was apparently shot down over Ukrainian territory last Thursday. 

The resolution called for an international investigation, and demanded that armed groups in the area ensure that the integrity of the crash site is maintained. 

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The 15-member UN body condemned "in the strongest terms" the downing of flight MH17 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, which resulted in the tragic loss of 298 lives, including not less than 80 innocent children. 

Council members also insisted on the "dignified, respectful and professional" treatment and recovery of the bodies of the victims. They also demanded that "all military activities, including by armed groups, be immediately ceased in the immediate area surrounding the crash site" to allow for security and safety of the international investigation.

The resolution also demanded that those responsible for this incident to be held to account and that all States cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability.

While the UN had no independent verification of the circumstances surround the crash, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last week expressed alarm at "credible, numerous reports" suggesting that a sophisticated surface-to-air missile was used. 

"This horrifying incident serves as the starkest reminder of how dire the situation in eastern Ukraine has become - and how it affects countries and families well beyond Ukraine's borders," he said in a briefing to the Council.

All council members, including Russia, voted for the resolution. But Russian foreign minister Vitaly Churkin warned that the UN should avoid jumping to conclusions about who could be responsible for the shooting down of MH17. 

TagsSecurity Council, MH17