UN aviation agency blames Russia for 2014 Malaysia Airlines downing

(TNND) — The United Nations Aviation Agency has concluded that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

According to The New York Post, the agency determined that a Russian-made missile struck the aircraft as it traveled from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, resulting in the deaths of all 289 people on board.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the incident. However, the UN's Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization stated that Russia violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which mandates countries to "refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight."

The case was initiated by the Dutch and Australian governments. Among the passengers were 196 individuals from the Netherlands and 38 from Australia.

The ruling opens the possibility for victims' families to receive compensation.

Previously, a Dutch court convicted two former Russian intelligence agents and a pro-Russian leader of murder for orchestrating the delivery of the missile.

These individuals were tried in absentia and remain at large.