UN Rules Russia Responsible For MH17 Disaster, Families Seek Justice.
In a landmark decision, the United Nations’ aviation agency has ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of all 298 passengers and crew on board, was caused by a Russian-made missile, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded.
The passenger plane, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over the conflict-ridden Donbas region of Ukraine amid clashes between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces. The majority of the victims were Dutch nationals, with 196 passengers and crew from the Netherlands. The flight also carried 38 Australians, 10 British citizens, and individuals from Belgium and Malaysia.
On Monday, the ICAO Council voted that Russia breached international air law, which mandates that states “refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.” The ruling has been hailed as a significant step towards accountability by the Australian and Dutch governments, who brought the case to the UN in 2022.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, welcomed the decision, stating, “We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct.” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp echoed this sentiment, describing the ruling as an “important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability.” He added that it sends a clear message: “States cannot violate international law with impunity.”
The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in the disaster, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. In 2022, a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian national of murder in absentia, sentencing them to life imprisonment. However, as they were not extradited, none have served time in prison.
The ruling comes as families of the victims mark a decade since the tragedy, continuing their pursuit of justice. The ICAO’s decision reinforces earlier findings, including a 2022 report suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely approved the supply of the missile used to down the plane.
This ruling underscores the international community’s commitment to holding states accountable for violations of global aviation safety laws, offering a measure of closure to the families affected by the MH17 disaster.