For international investigators, MH17's crash site in eastern Ukraine is finally accessible.

And they've wasted no time with their recovery work.

And to ensure their safety, Kiev says armed police units from countries who lost citizens in the crash will be allowed to guard the site.

(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE COUNCIL OF UKRAINE SPOKESMAN, ANDRIY LYSENKO, SAYING:

"The personnel of the mission are allowed to have and carry weapons as well as use force for self-defence and for implementation of its activities under this agreement."

Heavy fighting in the area forced the closure of roads for several days, hampering the recovery of victims' remains.

And delaying the investigation, to determine how the jet was brought down in the first place.