Russia responsible for MH17 shooting, killing 298 on board, rules Europe’s human rights court
On the way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, the MH17 flight was shot on July 17, 2014 in the east of Ukraine, a region controlled by pro -Russian separatists.
Read also: WHO UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanian and why did the sanction of the Boeing 777, was shot by a missile made of a Russian Buk system.
The ECHR said that Russia is responsible for the actions of both military forces and allied separatist fighters.
The court decided that the missile was fired under false beliefs that the plane was a military plane, but said that Russia could not take the necessary measures to verify its target and violated international human law.
Russia’s rejection and results
Russia has repeatedly rejected any role in the incident. He also refused to cooperate with international investigations or to respond to court investigations.
The ECHR said that this lack of cooperation and denial causes additional pain for the families of the victims and violated human rights obligations further.
The decision said that Moscow did not properly investigate the incident or did not provide any legal solution to survivors and relatives.
He added that the ongoing denial of Russia “significantly aggravated the pain of those who remain.
Beyond the MH17, the ECHR also found Russia responsible for a number of serious violations of human rights in Ukraine since 2014.
The court said that these actions were part of a “systematic ör model by Russian forces and deputies.
Political reaction
The Ukrainian greeted the decision as “historical and unprecedented ve and described it as a legal and moral victory. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the decision would offer “a sense of justice and recognition için for their families of victims, most of which are Dutch citizens.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin rejected the decision. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the decision as “Null and Boid ve and said that Russia would not comply with it.
Although Russia was fired from the Council of Europe in 2022 after the occupation of Ukraine, the ECHR still has the authority to judge on cases including Russia before then.
The court will later decide whether Russia needs to pay financial compensation, but the chance of execution remains weak.
Background
In 2022, a Dutch court ruled two Russians and Ukraine murder in connection with the MH17. They were tried in absenteeism and remained in general.
In May 2025, the UN’s international civil aviation organization found Russia responsible for the fall of MH17. MH17 Victims 198 Dutch, 43 Malaysian, 38 Australian and 10 British citizens came from 17 countries.
