ICAO's ruling on MH17: Russia responsible for 2014 tragedy
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the UN, has deemed Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. The decision paves the way for negotiations regarding compensation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, ruled that Russia bears responsibility for the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 over Ukraine in 2014. By doing so, the Russian Federation violated the ban on using weapons against civilian aircraft, which led to the death of 298 people.
ICAO: Russian Federation did not adhere to its commitments
"The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17," stated ICAO, which is headquartered in Canada, in a statement.
"This is a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones," said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, as reported by "ABC News." As they note, Russia has not yet acknowledged involvement in the event.
Will Russia face consequences?
The Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 took off from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, and was shot down on July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine territory, controlled by pro-Russian separatists who were then fighting Ukrainian forces. The disaster claimed the lives of 298 people, all on board, including 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and 38 Australians.
Australia and the Netherlands, which initiated the case with ICAO in 2022, are demanding that Russia start negotiations concerning compensation. "The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones," stated Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
Although ICAO lacks regulatory power, it exerts moral influence and sets global aviation standards that are widely adopted by 193 member states.
Moscow previously refused extradition of convicted individuals
In November 2022, a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian in absentia for their involvement in the attack on the Malaysian passenger aircraft. Moscow described the verdict as "scandalous" and refused to extradite its citizens.
"We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct," Penny Wong told "ABC News."
According to foreign media, international investigators from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium, and Ukraine concluded in 2023 that there are "strong indications" that Russian leader Vladimir Putin may have approved the delivery of the missile that shot down the plane.
