ECHR sets date for ruling in MH17 flight case
Photo: ECHR to announce verdict in Ukraine-Netherlands case against Russia on July 9 (Getty Images)
On July 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce a decision in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia over the downing of Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 in July 2014 in the skies over Donetsk region, according to the ECHR press service.
"The Court will be delivering a Grand Chamber ruling in the inter-State case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia on 9 July 2025," the statement says.
It is noted that this interstate case covers complaints regarding Russian military operations in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine involving pro-Russian separatists that began in 2014, including the downing of flight MH17.
Russia shot down the MH17 Boeing 777
In July 2014, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 passenger jet en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over Russian-occupied territory in the Donetsk region. All 298 people on board were killed.
An international investigation concluded that the plane was downed by a Russian Buk surface-to-air missile system brought in from Russia. The missile launcher belonged to the Russian army's 53rd Air Defense Brigade. After the launch, the system was quickly returned to Russian territory.
Investigators and a Dutch court found that the missile was fired by pro-Russian militants with the involvement of Russian military personnel.
Additionally, in February 2023, the ECHR merged the case Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia with another case, Ukraine v. Russia (X), related to Russia's full-scale invasion, forming one major proceeding.
In June 2024, hearings were held in the ECHR on the joint case brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia. The respondent state, Russia, did not attend the hearings, while both claimant parties were present.
