Downing of flight MH17 'may amount to a war crime': UN

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says fighting in east Ukraine has claimed over 1,100 lives.

KIEV: The downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 "may amount to a war crime", the UN said Monday, adding that fighting in east Ukraine has claimed over 1,100 lives with both government and rebel forces using heavy weaponry in built-up areas.

"This violation of international law, given the prevailing circumstances, may amount to a war crime," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said of the downing of MH17, as UN figures showed at least 1,129 people have been killed in fighting since April.