Russia blamed for downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 38 Australians

A UN aviation body has found Russia was responsible for MH17 being shot down over Ukraine in an attack that killed 298 people, including 38 Australians.

Russia has been found responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which killed all 298 people on board, including 38 Australians.

The ruling was handed down by UN body the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which found Russia had breached international law by using weapons against a civil aircraft in flight.

Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it was shot down amid conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

July 18, 2014. Rescuers stand on the site of the crash of a Malaysian airliner carrying 298 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. (Photo by DOMINIQUE FAGET / AFP)

In 2022, Dutch courts convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia for murder over the incident.

Moscow has refused to extradite its citizens, calling the ruling “scandalous”.

Australia and the Netherlands jointly brought the case before the ICAO in 2022. Both governments said the council would soon consider possible reparations.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the move, calling it a “historic decision” in the pursuit of justice.

“We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,” Ms Wong said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the move, calling it a “historic decision” in the pursuit of justice. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Our thoughts are with the 298 people who lost their lives due to Russia's actions, including 38 who called Australia home, their families and loved ones”

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also praised the ruling, urging the ICAO council to order Russia into negotiations over reparations.

“The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,” Mr Veldkamp said.

“This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity.”

Originally published as Russia blamed for downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 38 Australians