THE BREAKDOWN: Dutch prosecutors revealed evidence that Russian spies were present when Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down on July 17, 2014, and accused Russia of mounting a disinformation campaign as part of a cover-up.

THE WITNESSES: Defendant Oleg Pulatov has applied to take away the legal anonymity of several threatened witnesses, who still fear for their lives both in Ukraine and abroad. Prosecutors say those fears are legitimate as separatists have put areas of Ukraine "under a rule of violence", while Russian spies have recently been accused of murders in the UK, Germany, Turkey and Bulgaria.

THE MISSILE LAUNCH: The prosecution paraphrased the witness statement of a Russian separatist volunteer, who was guarding the missile launch site in Ukraine. They revealed for the first time evidence suggesting Russian Federal Services Bureau agents were present at the launch. If true, it would place Russian spies at the heart of the disaster and offer a possible motivation for the country's disinformation campaign.

THE HACK: Prosecutors say Australian Federal Police case files were leaked on a Russian-linked website as part of the disinformation campaign. Only parts of the police report were released selectively to spread disinformation.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Australian Jon O'Brien, whose son died: "It's a bit embarrassing on one level, if it wasn't so offensive and had such a malicious intent."

Australian Bryan Clancy, whose brother and sister-in-law died: "They're murderers and they're trying to cover their tracks."

Australian police officer David Nelson: "That (the disinformation campaign) is not helpful for the next of kin, I don't think it assists their grieving and ability to follow the trial and know what the facts are."

WHAT WILL BE COVERED NEXT: The court will hear from the defence about their position on the case on March 23.

Australian Associated Press