Russia appeals U.N. aviation authority ruling holding it responsible for 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

Russia has appealed to the International Court of Justice over a decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council that held Moscow responsible for the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane over Donbas, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Moscow argued that the ICAO ruling was driven by “opportunistic political motives” and based on “questionable investigation results under the auspices of an interested party — the Netherlands,” relying on “fabricated evidence” provided by Ukraine.

In May 2025, the ICAO Council found Russia responsible for the crash of Flight MH17 over Donbas.

That determination is expected to result in the ICAO requiring Russia to compensate the airline and the affected countries. As a member of the ICAO, Russia is formally obliged to comply, but in practice the organization has no enforcement mechanisms if Moscow refuses.