UN Agency Blames Russia for MH17 Tragedy, Calls for Accountability

In a significant ruling, the UN's ICAO held Russia accountable for the tragic downing of flight MH17, demanding reparations and emphasizing the need for international law compliance.

Russia has been officially held accountable for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, according to a ruling from the UN's aviation authority. This devastating incident occurred in July 2014, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 298 individuals aboard the aircraft. A missile manufactured in Russia was responsible for the disaster, which has been categorically denied by the Kremlin.

On Monday, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced that Russia had not fulfilled its international obligations to refrain from using weapons against civilian aircraft. Flight MH17, which was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was struck while flying over the Donetsk region of Ukraine amid ongoing conflict involving pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces. Among the deceased, 196 passengers were Dutch, while others hailed from Australia, the UK, Belgium, and Malaysia.

The Australian and Dutch governments brought this matter to the UN in 2022, and both nations welcomed the latest ICAO ruling. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Russia to acknowledge its responsibility and provide reparations for this violent act. Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp labeled the decision as a vital stride towards unveiling the truth and achieving justice, reinforcing that countries cannot act with disregard for international law.

In 2022, a Dutch court determined that a Russian-backed faction had brought down the flight, leading to the conviction of two Russians and a pro-Russian Ukrainian for murder, albeit in absentia. Although they received life sentences, the lack of their extradition means they remain unpunished so far.