The United Nations aviation agency concluded that Russia was accountable for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine in July 2014. All 298 passengers on board were killed when a Russian-made missile struck the passenger plane.
The Kremlin has continuously denied responsibility for the air disaster. On Monday, the UN’s Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) voted in favor of the Russian Federation violating international air law, which prohibits the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down in the Donbas region of Ukraine, during the conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces. The majority of passengers and crew, totaling 196, were Dutch citizens, along with 38 Australians, 10 British citizens, and Belgian and Malaysian nationals.
The Australian and Dutch governments, who initiated the UN case in 2022, have welcomed the ICAO’s ruling. Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong called upon Russia to take responsibility for the act and make reparations for its actions. The Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that it represents a significant step towards establishing the truth, achieving justice, and accountability, emphasizing that states cannot disregard international law with impunity.
In 2022, a Dutch court ruled that a Russian-controlled group had downed the plane and two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian national were convicted of murder in absentia. However, although the trio were sentenced to life in prison, they have not served time due to the absence of extradition.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd62v890l5qo
