The parts were found during a previous recovery mission in eastern Ukraine and ‘are of particular interest to the criminal investigation as they can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17’, the department said in a statement.

Investigators are now enlisting the help of international experts, among others forensic specialists and weapon experts, to determine what the parts actually are and their origin.

However, ‘at present the conclusion cannot be drawn that there is a causal connection between the discovered parts and the crash of flight MH17’, the statement said.

Two teams are investigating the downing of flight MH17, which is thought to have been carried out by pro-Russian rebels. The Joint Investigation Team is carrying out the criminal investigation and the Dutch safety council is looking into the cause of the crash.

Broadcaster CNN said last month the final report will include evidence that the flight was shot down by a BUK rocket fired by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. However, other sources say the report will not place any blame.