ICAO holds Russia accountable for the MH17 downing in a landmark ruling

• The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has determined that Russia is responsible for the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.
• Australia and the Netherlands have highlighted this as a historic moment, demonstrating that violations of international law will not go unpunished.
• Both countries demand that Russia negotiate and pay compensation for its actions.

The ICAO announced that Russia bears responsibility for the downing of the passenger plane MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. This decision was based on complaints lodged by Australia and the Netherlands, which were found to be justified.

"The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17," stated the ICAO.

The Dutch government emphasised that the ICAO's decision is essential for truth and justice. Australia has urged Russia to take responsibility for its actions and pay compensation. "This is a historic moment," Australia stated, highlighting the significance of this decision for the international community.

In 2022, a Dutch court sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the downing of the plane. In 2023, international investigators suspended further investigation, citing insufficient evidence to prosecute other suspects. "Strong indications" suggest that Russian leader Vladimir Putin approved the delivery of the missile that brought down the plane.

On 17th July 2014, a Boeing 777, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile over Ukrainian territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists. The crash killed all 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and 38 Australians.

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