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Historic Ruling on MH17 Disaster
The European Court of Human Rights unanimously held Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014. The ruling confirmed Russia's role in supplying the Buk missile system used to shoot down the aircraft over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.
Emotional Reactions
Grace van Zijtveld, who lost her children and parents, stated: "An international court finally confirms what we knew - Russia was responsible. This brings closure." Piet Ploeg, representing victims' families, called the judgment "crucial for truth and justice."
Inhuman Treatment Recognized
The court condemned Russia's 11-year denial campaign as "inhuman treatment" of grieving families. Silene Fredriksz, who lost her son and his partner, welcomed this acknowledgment of additional suffering caused by Moscow's obstruction.
Broader Human Rights Violations
In parallel rulings, the court documented systematic Russian human rights abuses in Ukraine including civilian killings, torture, child abductions, and sexual violence. These findings cover violations until September 2022 when Russia left the court.
Next Steps
Compensation discussions will follow later this year. Over 500 individual victim cases remain pending before the court. This ruling sets precedent for ongoing investigations into Russia's actions in Ukraine.
