UN Agency: Russia responsible for preparing a civilian aircraft over Ukraine in 2014

The International Organization of Civil Aviation (ICAO) recognized on Monday that Russia is responsible for knocking the MH17 passenger aircraft over Ukraine in 2014.

“The Russian Federation did not warn the obligations in the sphere of international aviation law when it was destroyed in 2014 (aircraft performing flight) MH17 (Malaysian airlines) Malaysia Airline” – wrote in a statement ICAO, which is based in Canada.

In this “first decision” regarding the dispute between the Member States, the ICAO Council assessed that complaints lodged by Australia and the Netherlands are “justified in the sphere of facts and law.”

“This decision clearly shows the international community that states cannot break without the consequences of international law,” the Netherlands said. Australia emphasized that it is a “historical moment.”

On July 17, 2014, Boeing 777, which flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by the Earth's rocket-a beech of Russian production over the territory of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists. 298 people who were on board, including 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians and 38 Australians were killed in the disaster.

In 2022, the Dutch court sentenced three men to the life imprisonment for participating in the aircraft. In 2023, international investigators suspended the investigation, considering that there was not enough evidence to chase other suspects.

Until now, Russia has not confessed that it was related to this event.

After the ICAO decision, the Australian government demanded that it “to finally take responsibility for this terrible act of violence and pay compensation for its gross behavior.” The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp estimated that this is “an important step towards truth and justice.”

Both countries demanded from ICAO to oblige Russia to “negotiate with the Netherlands and Australia in this matter.”

International investigators from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine decided in 2023 that there were “strong evidence” indicating that the Russian leader Vladimir Putin approved the delivery of a rocket that knocked the plane. (PAP)

MW/ AKL/