On July 17 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Nine years later, the tragedy remains the deadliest commercial airliner shoot-down in history, and it has had a profound impact on the families and friends of the victims.
The ninth anniversary of the fatal crash of MH17 has been remembered by the global community, and has seen the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urge all concerned to hold those responsible accountable for the tragedy.
We call on all states and parties involved to fully cooperate in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2166 (2014) to hold Russia and all those guilty accountable for this shameful and brutal violation of international law… Ukraine will continue to make all possible efforts to establish justice for the victims of the tragedy, hold Russia and all guilty accountable and have guarantees of non-repetition of such a tragic incident.
Ukraine Foreign Ministry statement – July 17, 2023
The Downing of Flight MH17
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by Russian-controlled forces on 17 July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine. All 283 passengers and 15 crew were killed.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, was flying at an altitude of 33,000 feet when it was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The missile exploded just above and to the left of the cockpit region, causing the commercial jet to break up in midair.
The wreckage fell near the village of Hrabove in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 40 km (25 mi) from the Ukraine–Russia border. The shoot-down occurred during the war in Donbas, which was being fought between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
The separatists denied responsibility for the shoot-down, but an international investigation finally concluded that the plane was shot down by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile.
The downing of MH17 was the deadliest airliner shoot-down in history. The victims came from 17 countries, with the majority being Dutch citizens. The crash was a major international incident, and it led to increased tensions between Russia and the West.
International Investigation of Tragedy
The International Investigation Group, which comprises representatives of law enforcement agencies from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and Malaysia, has been involved in the ongoing accident investigation.
In September 2016, the Group published the finding that the Malaysia Airlines commercial flight had been shot down by a missile launched from the Buk air defense system.
The following year, the investigation disclosed that the missile originated from a Russian brigade based in Kursk.
In November 2022, a Dutch court found three men guilty of murdering all 298 people on board MH17. The men, two Russians and a Ukrainian, were found to have been involved in the supply and firing of the Buk missile that shot down the plane. They were sentenced to life in prison.
Impact on Global Community
The downing of MH17 also had a significant impact on the global community. It was a major international incident that led to increased tensions between Russia and the West. The Dutch government has been a leading force in the investigation of the crash, and it has repeatedly called on Russia to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The verdict was a significant step forward for the families of the victims, but it did not bring them closure. They continue to demand that Russia take full responsibility for the tragedy.
The downing of MH17 is a reminder of the dangers of armed conflict and the importance of international cooperation to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Remembering the Victims – 9 Years On
On the ninth anniversary of the tragedy, we remember the 298 people who lost their lives on MH17. We also remember the families and friends who have been left to pick up the pieces. We offer our deepest condolences to all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
In addition to the families of the victims, there are many other people who have been affected by the downing of MH17. The Dutch government has provided financial assistance to the families, and it has also set up a foundation to help them cope with their grief.
The foundation has provided counseling and support services, and it has also helped to fund projects that commemorate the victims of the tragedy.
The incident has also had a significant impact on the people of Ukraine. The crash occurred during the war in Donbas, and it further inflamed tensions between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed separatists. The crash also had a negative impact on the tourism industry in Ukraine.
The downing of Flight MH17 was a tragedy that shocked the world. It remains the deadliest shooting down of a commercial airliner since Iran Air Flight 655 was shot down by the USS Vincennes in 1988. The crash also raised serious questions about the safety of flying over conflict zones.