RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CLASH IN UN COURT OVER MH17 DOWNING, IN A HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN

Ukraine and Russia are set for confrontation in the top United Nations court regarding Moscow's alleged support for pro-Russian separatists accused of downing Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in 2014. 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear Ukraine’s case, asserting that Moscow breached a UN anti-terrorism agreement by providing resources and financing pro-Russian factions. As per international investigations, this incident caused death of 298 individuals onboard, including passengers and crew members.  

This encounter of the two parties in the World Court will be their first meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.  

What

• Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, a commercial jet, was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. 
• The flight was en route from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when it was targeted by a surface-to-air missile while flying over a conflict zone.  
• All 298 members including crew members lost their lives.  
• The downing of MH17 sparked international outrage, triggering investigations to determine the cause and responsible parties.

Investigation so far 

• Two Russian individuals and one Ukrainian national were convicted in absentia (a court of law in which the person who is subject to it is not physically present at those proceedings) by a Dutch court in November 2022. 
• They were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. 
• The court also concluded that Russia had “overall control” over the forces operating in the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine since mid-May 2014.    

How favourable are things for Russia?

• If the ICJ were to conclude that Russia provided resources and financial support to the fighters in eastern Ukraine who were accountable for the MH17 tragedy, it would be a major setback for Moscow. 
• Russia has consistently denied sending troops or any military equipment to the region. 
• In March 2022, Russia boycotted hearings concerning Ukraine’s request for emergency measure in another ICJ case.  
• Kyiv is challenging Moscow’s claim that its invasion of Ukraine was a preventive measure against the genocide of Russian-speakers.  
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladmir Putin, accusing him of war and crimes related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin denies these charges. 

Timeline of the downing of MH17 on July 17, 2014 

• Thursday 10.15 (GMT): MH17 takes off from Amsterdam, headed for Kuala Lumpur. 
• Thursday 14.15 (GMT): Ukrainian aviation authorities notify Malaysia Airlines that they have lost contact with the aircraft. The last known position of the flight was approximately (20 miles) from Tamak waypoint, which is situated 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the border between Russia and Ukraine. At that time, the plane was flying at an altitude of 33,000 feet. 
• Thursday 20.41 (GMT): Then Vice-President of US Joe Biden made a statement declaring that the plane crash was not an accident but “blown out of the sky” with no signs of survivors.

ALSO READ: Ukraine-Russia War's first casualty were 298 people on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. In 2014

2023-06-06T09:16:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd