Ukrainian government said pro-Russian rebels have planted land mines on roads leading to the crash site of downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in eastern Ukraine, making it harder for international investigators to reach the area.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council warned that separatists fighting against the government have pre-positioned its weapons in the crash site near Grabovo in Donetsk, an area heavily controlled by rebels.

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The advisory came after Dutch investigators said it is still unable to reach the area due to the heavy fighting between separatists and Ukrainian forces despite the assurance of both camps to halt its offensive and cooperate with the investigation on the downed plane that killed all of its 298 passengers and crews.

Since Tuesday, at least 19 people from both sides have been killed due to armed clashes near the crash site, Associated Press reported.

However, there were no reports of injuries due to land mines as of Thursday, with some news agencies still coming to and leaving the crash site to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands said it will no longer pursue an armed mission in the area, which was proposed earlier this week due to heavy fighting.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said there was a "real risk" if the international investigators, joined by Australia and Malaysia, will be involved in the armed conflict.

World leaders have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his powers to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, where separatists wanted to have a referendum and join Moscow.

But Putin is keeping his ground despite the international call to end violence, with the latest economic sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union to Russia for its role in the Ukraine civil war.

Russia instead, supported the rebels and supplied them with high-powered weapons to battle the government, U.S. said. Even the downing of the Malaysia plane is reportedly carried out by rebels using a missile through the support of Russian authorities, U.S. added. 

TagsUkraine, Russia, MH17