Overview

• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has officially ruled that Russia bears direct responsibility for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
• Investigations determined that a Russian-made Buk missile, launched from pro-Russian separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine, caused the crash.
• The missile launcher was supplied by Russia and returned to Russian territory following the attack, according to ICAO's findings.
• The ICAO Council's decision, the first of its kind in an inter-state dispute, establishes a formal basis for potential reparations and legal action.
• Australia and the Netherlands, whose citizens were among the 298 killed, have welcomed the ruling and are calling for swift accountability, while Russia denies involvement.