UN finds Russia responsible for 2014 MH17 crash that killed 298

Montreal: The United Nations aviation agency has declared that Russia was responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which resulted in the deaths of 298 people.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal, stated on Monday that claims brought forward by Australia and the Netherlands concerning the shooting down of Flight MH17 on 17 July 2014 were “well founded in fact and in law.”

“The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17,” the agency said in a statement released on Monday evening.

This marks the first time in the ICAO’s history that its council has made a ruling on the substance of a dispute between member states.

Flight MH17 shot down over conflict zone

On 17 July 2014, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, crashed in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, where pro-Russian separatist rebels were engaged in conflict with Ukrainian forces.

Investigations confirmed the aircraft was hit by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile.

Of the 298 victims, the majority were Dutch nationals, accounting for around two-thirds of the deaths. There were also 38 Australians and approximately 30 Malaysians among those killed, with many holding dual citizenships.

At the time, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described the incident as a “terrorist act.”

Pro-Russian rebels in the region claimed that the airliner had been shot down by a Ukrainian military jet. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Ukraine “bears responsibility.”

Global condemnation and legal action

The day after the crash, then US President Barack Obama stated that the missile had been fired from separatist-held territory and suggested the rebels would not have been able to strike the airliner without support from Russia.

In 2022, a Dutch court sentenced three men — including two Russians — to life imprisonment for their roles in the downing of the aircraft. However, Russia refused to extradite them.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the tragedy.

Australia and Netherlands welcome decision

The governments of Australia and the Netherlands welcomed the UN agency’s determination on Monday night.

“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,” the Australian government said in a statement.

It urged the ICAO to “move swiftly to determine remedies” for Russia’s breach of international law.

“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,” the statement continued.

Investigation ends due to lack of evidence

International investigators suspended their inquiry into the downing last year, citing insufficient evidence to identify additional suspects.

AFP inputs