UN aviation body Russia responsible for downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine
United Nations Aviation Council Claims Russia Responsible for Downing Malaysian Plane in 2014 Ukraine Incident
The English section of the webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, reported that Reuters stated the United Nations Aviation Council declared on Monday that Russia was responsible for shooting down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine—a tragic incident that killed all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch nationals and 38 Australian citizens and residents.The governments of the Netherlands and Australia also announced that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will decide on compensation measures in the coming weeks.
Flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam bound for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, before being shot down over eastern Ukraine amid clashes between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces.
In November 2022, Dutch courts convicted two Russian men and one Ukrainian man in absentia for murder over their roles in the attack. Moscow condemned the verdict as “scandalous” and refused to extradite its citizens.
Dutch Foreign Minister kaspar Veldkamp called this decision a critical step toward establishing truth, achieving justice, and ensuring accountability for all victims of MH17 and their families.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also welcomed the ruling, urging ICAO to expedite reparations proceedings.
Headquartered in Montreal, ICAO lacks enforcement power but holds important moral authority, setting global aviation standards adopted by its 193 member states.
