The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a subsidiary of the United Nations (UN), concluded that Russia is responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014.

According to AFP, the governments of the Netherlands and Australia stated in a joint statement on the 12th that they are releasing the ICAO decision, noting that the ICAO Council will review appropriate forms of compensation within a few weeks.

CAS Corporation Foreign Minister Kaspar Veltkamp said, "This decision is an important advancement in uncovering the truth and delivering justice for the victims and their families," and added that he hopes the ICAO Council will order Russia to enter into compensation negotiations.

The wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 passenger plane crash at the end of 2014. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

The MH17 incident occurred on July 17, 2014. Flight MH17, which was headed from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, was shot down over Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of all on board.

At the time, flight MH17 was hit by a Russian-made Buk missile while passing over eastern Ukraine's Donetsk. This area was a conflict zone between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels.

Among the victims, 196 were Dutch nationals. The Netherlands led the international investigation team after the downing. The investigation team concluded that pro-Russian rebels mistook the passenger plane for a military aircraft and shot it down.

Subsequently, a Dutch court sentenced two Russians and one Ukrainian to life imprisonment for murder in an absentia trial in November 2022.

The Netherlands and Australia referred this case to the ICAO dispute resolution procedures in 2022 to claim compensation from Russia. This decision is the result of that.

The ICAO is a specialized agency under the UN. It establishes international aviation regulations, engages in aviation-related disputes, and coordinates the interests of member states.