The Ukrainian rebels smuggling something out of their country doesn't explain how they got it which was the point I was making
Like @Tefal said, there were images of it going there and back to Russia again:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44235402
Wilbert Paulissen, a Dutch official from the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), told reporters: "All the vehicles in a convoy carrying the missile were part of the Russian armed forces."
He restated the JIT's conclusion that the plane had been destroyed by a Russian-made Buk missile, adding that it had been supplied by the country's 53rd anti-aircraft brigade in Kursk.
At a news conference in the Dutch city of Utrecht, the investigators also showed social media pictures which they said traced the route the missile convoy had taken to reach eastern Ukraine.
More evidence mentioned here too such as phone intercepts:
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-...he-separatists-linked-to-the-downing-of-mh17/