The United Nations' aviation council has ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, which resulted in the deaths of all 298 people on board. This included 196 Dutch citizens and 28 Australian citizens. The case was initiated in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands.

The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stated that the claims were "well founded in fact and in law." The agency's statement emphasized that "The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17." While the council lacks regulatory powers, it establishes global aviation standards widely adopted by member states. This marks the first instance in ICAO's history of weighing in on a dispute between two member states.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp hailed the decision as "an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones." He added, "This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity." Both Australia and the Netherlands have welcomed the ruling.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed her approval, stating, "We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law." The Netherlands and Australia are seeking an order from the ICAO Council for Russia to engage in talks regarding potential reparations, according to Veldkamp.

Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, amidst fighting between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. The plane was struck by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile, resulting in the death of all 298 passengers and crew members. Among the victims, two-thirds were Dutch, along with 38 Australians and 30 Malaysians.

Eight years following the incident, a Dutch court convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man, in absentia, of murder for their involvement in the attack. Moscow has declined to extradite its citizens and has criticized the ruling as "scandalous."