It’s been more than a decade since the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down with a Buk missile over Eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014—now findings by a top aviation authority have found Russia responsible.
The passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was carrying 298 passengers and crew, including 38 Australian nationals, when a surface-to-air missile exploded near the cockpit, severely damaging the plane and causing its rapid descent.
Since 2018, it has been Australia’s official position that Russia was responsible for the destruction of the flight.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Montreal has now announced Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now urged Russia to take responsibility for the missile that brought the plane down.
“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,” Wong said in a statement.
“The ICAO Council found that Russia breached the prohibition under international law on the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight and is responsible for the loss of 298 innocent lives, including 38 who called Australia home.
“In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principle that weapons should not be used against civil aircraft.”
In 2022, Australia and the Netherlands brought a case before the ICAO regarding Russia’s involvement in the downed flight.
“The Australian government welcomes the ICAO Council’s decision and urges it to move swiftly to determine remedies for this violation,” Wong said.
“We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law.
“Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives as a result of Russia’s actions, their families and loved ones. While we cannot take away the grief of those left behind, we will continue to stand with them in that grief and pursue justice for this horrific act.”
Despite the finding, ICAO does not hold enforcement power.
In 2016, the Dutch Safety Board determined the missile that downed the plane was shot from pro-Russian separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine, with the Buk missile originating from Russia.
The Russian government has so far denied responsibility.
At the time of the incident, the region was engulfed in an armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
In 2014, pro-European Union protests led to the ousting of Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych, before Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula.
Pro-Russian separatists had also declared independence in parts of eastern Ukraine, leading to war with the government of Ukraine.
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