Australia demands Russia face justice after UN aviation ruled Moscow responsible for downing MH17

Australia has called on Russia to face accountability following a landmark ruling over one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history, which killed 298 people, including 38 Australians.

Australia has welcomed a landmark ruling by the United Nations’ top aviation authority that found Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, calling on Moscow to make reparations under international law.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decision marked an important step toward justice for the 298 victims of the 2014 disaster, which included 38 Australians.

“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,” Wong said in a statement.

Flowers and plush toys that were left at the crash site of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 in 2014. Picture: AFP

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.

She also urged the ICAO to “move swiftly to determine remedies.”

The case was brought jointly by Australia and the Netherlands in 2022, seeking accountability for the missile attack that brought down MH17 over eastern Ukraine as fighting raged between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. The flight had departed Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decision marked an important step toward justice for the 298 victims of the 2014 disaster, which included 38 Australians. Picture: AFP

According to statements from both the Australian and Dutch governments, the ICAO Council has now ruled that Russia bears responsibility for the tragedy and will consider in the coming weeks what form of reparation is appropriate.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the ruling “an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones.”

“This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity,” he added, noting that the Netherlands and Australia want the ICAO to order Russia to enter into negotiations over reparations.

In 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their roles in the attack. Picture: AFP

In 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their roles in the attack. Moscow rejected the ruling as “scandalous” and has refused to extradite the men.

The ICAO, headquartered in Montreal, sets global aviation standards but lacks enforcement powers. Still, its decisions carry significant diplomatic weight, with standards adopted by its 193 member states.

The organisation has not yet issued a public statement on the ruling.