Ukraine Opens Criminal Case Against Russian Official for Organizing Militias

Could implicate Russian government in Malaysian Airline downing

Ukraine has opened criminal cases against Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu and Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev, the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry said in a statement Tuesday. Shoigu is accused of involvement in organizing illegal armed groups. Malofeyev is accused of funding them. Russia has repeatedly insisted it is not involved in any violence in the region.

Also, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board says one of its experts will help retrieve information from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17's flight data recorders, which are being sent to the UK.