Netherlands and Australia Hold Russia Legally Responsible for Downing MH17

Dutch police officer Wilbert Paulissen, head of the National Crime Squad, is pictured next to a damaged missile as he presents interim results in the ongoing investigation of the 2014 MH17 crash that killed 298 people over eastern Ukraine. Reuters/Francois Lenoir/File Photo

THE HAGUE—The Netherlands and Australia said on Friday, May 25, they held the Russian state responsible in part for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in July 2014 that killed all 298 aboard, and will seek compensation.

MH17 was shot down over territory held by pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014 as it flew from Amsterdam en route to Kuala Lumpur. The victims were from 10 nations and included 193 Dutch and 28 Australian citizens.