Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine have confirmed that they are holding what they believe to be the black box from MH17.

Aleksander Borodai, prime minister of the pro-Russian rebel’s Donetsk People’s Republic, says that they are in possession of several items from the crash, according to a Fairfax report.

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The black box recorder, which may provide a crucial insight into the flight’s last moments, has been taken to the east Ukrainian city of Donetsk.

“Some items, presumably the black boxes, were found, and they have been delivered to Donetsk and they are under our control,” said Mr Borodai.

“There are no specialists among us who could pinpoint the look of the black boxes, but we brought to Donetsk some technical items which could be the black boxes of the airliner.”

Ukrainian officials fear that the plane’s black box may be handed over to Moscow, or tampered with by rebels who Kiev says are trying to destroy evidence of their involvement.

Mr Borodai says that the black box will be handed over to international experts when they arrive.