UN Agency Rules Russia Downed MH17

The International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations aviation agency, has ruled that Russia was responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 over eastern Ukraine, which killed all 298 passengers and crew. The ruling supports claims by Australia and the Netherlands, whose citizens comprised the majority of victims, that Russia failed to uphold international air law. This decision, the first of its kind by the International Civil Aviation Organization, calls for Russia to face its responsibility and make reparations. Russia, through Dmitry Peskov, has consistently denied involvement and dismissed the findings as biased. Previous investigations, including a Dutch court ruling, have also implicated Russian nationals and suggested Vladimir Putin's personal approval for the missile supply. The ruling is seen as a significant step towards justice and accountability by Caspar Veldkamp and Penny Wong, foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Australia respectively.