Australia demands sanctions on Russia
In July 2014, MH17 aircraft is shot down over Eastern Ukraine, 298 lives lost.
Ten years after the downing of Malaysia-Airlines Flight MH17 over Eastern Ukraine, Australia has demanded that Russia be held accountable for the deaths of nearly 300 people on board. Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong reiterated this demand during a memorial service in Canberra.
"I reaffirm our shared commitment to truth, justice, and accountability for the atrocities of the 17th of July 2014," Wong stated. Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014, while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over Eastern Ukraine by a missile. All 298 passengers were killed, among them 39 Australians.
A Dutch court found two Russians and an Ukrainian guilty in absentia and sentenced them to life imprisonment in the case in November 2022. The court determined in its verdict that the aircraft was hit by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile.
The missile originated from a Russian military base, and was fired from a field in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Russia continues to deny any responsibility for the incident.
- The Ukraine-Conflict in Eastern Ukraine led to the tragic incident where Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down, resulting in the loss of 298 lives.
- Ten years after the MH17 plane crash, Australia, particularly its Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, has consistently advocated for Justice and accountability in the Donbas region, with Russia being the main focus.
- The court in The Netherlands, in November 2022, found two Russians and an Ukrainian guilty in absentia for their involvement in the downing of MH17, which was hit by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile, launched from a field controlled by separatists in eastern Ukraine.
- Despite the evidence and verdict, Russia continues to deny any responsibility for the missile launch and the subsequent loss of 298 lives, including 39 Australians.
