Russia Found Liable for MH17 Crash, UN Aviation Agency Confirms

The International Civil Aviation Organization's ruling emphasizes the necessity of adhering to international air law and pushes for justice.

In a pivotal decision, the United Nations aviation agency has concluded that Russia is responsible for the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which occurred over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The incident resulted in the death of all 298 individuals aboard, as the plane was hit by a missile linked to Russian military weaponry. The Kremlin has consistently rejected claims of responsibility in relation to this air disaster.

On Monday, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) voted to determine that the Russian Federation did not fulfill its obligations under international air law. This legal framework obligates nations to "refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight." Flight MH17 was traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck down amidst ongoing hostilities between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region.

The application for an inquiry by the United Nations was initiated by the Dutch and Australian governments in 2022, who have since expressed support for the ICAO's conclusion. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the importance of acknowledging Russia's role in this "horrific act of violence" and called for reparations for the suffering inflicted. Likewise, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp noted that the ruling serves as an "important step" in the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability, while reinforcing that states must not act with impunity in breaching international law.

The legality of the allegations against Russia was reinforced in 2022, when a Dutch court determined that the aircraft was brought down by a missile fired from an area controlled by pro-Russian forces. Consequently, three individuals—two Russians and a Ukrainian national—were convicted of murder in absentia, receiving life sentences. However, since they were not extradited from Russia, they have evaded serving their sentences.

As families continue to commemorate ten years of loss following the MH17 disaster, the question of accountability and justice remains a pressing issue in international relations, with calls for action against violations of air travel safety laws resonating more loudly than ever.