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Flight MH17, UN accuses Russia: ‘Must compensate families who were victims of the downing’

The International Civil Aviation Organization blames Moscow for the destruction of flight MH17 in 2014 and demands compensation for the families of the 298 victims

Russia is officially held responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was struck on July 17, 2014 in the skies over Ukraine by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile. This was determined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency, asking Moscow to compensate the families of the 298 victims.

The Boeing 777, which departed from Amsterdam and was bound for Kuala Lumpur, was destroyed in flight killing 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians and 38 Australians. Russia has always denied any responsibility, but the ICAO concluded that Moscow failed to meet its international obligations: “The Russian Federation did not comply with international aviation law for the destruction of MH17,” the note reads.

In 2022, a Dutch court sentenced three men in absentia to life in prison for their role in the downing of the plane, but the UN request represents the first direct pronouncement on official reparations.

“This decision clearly indicates to the international community that states cannot violate international law without consequences,” said the government of the Netherlands. Australia called the verdict “a historic moment” for international justice.

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