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Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Russia Officially Found Responsible for MH17, Wong Hails ‘Historic Moment'
It's been more than a decade since the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down with a Buk missile over Eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014—now findings by a top aviation authority have found Russia responsible. The passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was carrying 298 passengers and crew, including 38 Australian nationals, when a surface-to-air missile exploded near the cockpit, severely damaging the plane and causing its rapid descent. Since 2018, it has been Australia's official position that Russia was responsible for the destruction of the flight. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Montreal has now announced Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now urged Russia to take responsibility for the missile that brought the plane down. 'This is a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,' Wong said in a statement. Related Stories 7/17/2024 6/23/2023 Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during Senate Estimates at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 27, 2025. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas 'The ICAO Council found that Russia breached the prohibition under international law on the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight and is responsible for the loss of 298 innocent lives, including 38 who called Australia home. 'In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principle that weapons should not be used against civil aircraft.' In 2022, Australia and the Netherlands brought a case before the ICAO regarding Russia's involvement in the downed flight. 'The Australian government welcomes the ICAO Council's decision and urges it to move swiftly to determine remedies for this violation,' Wong said. 'We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law. 'Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives as a result of Russia's actions, their families and loved ones. While we cannot take away the grief of those left behind, we will continue to stand with them in that grief and pursue justice for this horrific act.' Despite the finding, ICAO does not hold enforcement power. In 2016, the Dutch Safety Board determined the missile that downed the plane was shot from pro-Russian separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine, with the Buk missile originating from Russia. The Russian government has so far denied responsibility. At the time of the incident, the region was engulfed in an armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. In 2014, pro-European Union protests led to the ousting of Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych, before Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Pro-Russian separatists had also declared independence in parts of eastern Ukraine, leading to war with the government of Ukraine.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Germany threatens 'significant tightening' of Russia sanctions ahead of Ukraine peace talks
Key developments on May 13: Germany's Merz threatens 'significant tightening' of Russia sanctions ahead of Ukraine peace talks Rubio to attend Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul, Trump says Zelensky to meet Erdogan in Turkey where both will wait for Putin ahead of peace talks Ukraine reports destroying Russian Buk air defense system, Uragan rocket launcher Former nuclear power plant employee arrested for allegedly helping Russia's GRU target drone strikes The European Union is prepared to significantly tighten sanctions against Russia if no progress is made in ending the war in Ukraine this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 13, Reuters reported. The statement comes ahead of a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15. Merz said EU leaders support Zelensky's diplomatic push for a ceasefire but warn of sweeping new sanctions if Putin refuses to engage seriously. "We are waiting for Putin's agreement, and we agree that if there is no real progress this week, we want to work together at the European level for a significant tightening of sanctions," Merz said during a news conference. An EU official told the Kyiv Independent that the bloc will unveil its next package of sanctions on May 14. The 17th round of EU measures could target additional sectors of Russia's economy, with new penalties reportedly focused on energy and financial markets. The EU has imposed 16 sanctions packages since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting military suppliers, Russian state entities, and individuals involved in the war. Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets. "I believe more compromise and more concessions are no longer reasonable," he said. "We support President Zelensky's efforts, but there must be a real effort from Russia in return — starting with a ceasefire." Read also: 'Not what Putin was expecting' — What we know (and don't know) about Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on May 13 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials will attend planned peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey on May 15 The announcement comes as international attention centers on Istanbul, after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed hosting direct talks there between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelensky has said he will attend but the Kremlin has so far stayed quiet about the possibility of Putin attending. "Our people are going to be going there. Marco is going to be going there. Others are going to be going, and we'll see if we can get it done," Trump said during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. Earlier, Reuters reported that Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, would travel to Istanbul to observe the negotiations. Rubio's participation marks the first public confirmation of Cabinet-level U.S. involvement. Read also: As Ukraine, Russia peace talks loom, all eyes are on Putin's next move Zelensky said on May 13 that he expects a ceasefire to result from a potential in-person meeting with Putin, which may take place in Istanbul on May 15. Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Putin chooses to attend the talks there. "We will be waiting to meet with Putin in Turkey. So that Russia does not manipulate cities and say that Putin is not ready to fly to Ankara, but is ready to fly only to Istanbul," Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv during a press conference. "I have conveyed the signal to President Erdogan, and the Turkish side is ready." The meeting, if it occurs, would mark the first direct negotiations between the two leaders since 2019 and could signal a breakthrough in stalled diplomatic efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion. The Kremlin has not confirmed Putin's participation, while Kyiv continues to demand an unconditional ceasefire. Read also: Russia killed Ukrainian author Victoria Amelina — but not her words or quest for justice Ukrainian Special Operations Forces' attack drones destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system and a Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system (MLSR), the military branch reported on May 13. During reconnaissance in an unspecified front-line sector, Special Operations Forces' operators detected the Buk-M3 and the Uragan-1 on combat duty, the unit said. Ukrainian forces then launched attack drones and hit the targets, destroying the Buk-M3 system with an estimated value of $45 million, as well as its ammunition. The statement did not specify the time of the attack. 0:00 / 1× The Soviet-era Buk surface-to-air missile systems are used both by Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine inherited Buk anti-aircraft systems from the Soviet Union, but the weapons typically use Russian-produced missiles. In 2023, Ukraine announced it had converted the systems to fire U.S. missiles. The Uragan-1 is a Russian multi-caliber rocket launcher with the ability to swap launch containers. It operates with calibers of 200 and 300 mm. Read also: After spying scandal erupts, Orban accuses Ukraine of meddling, cooperating with Hungarian opposition A former employee of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been arrested on suspicion of working with Russian military intelligence (GRU) to help target drone strikes on the facility's power lines, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on May 13. According to the SBU, the man was to assist strikes on high-voltage power lines that connect the Rivne NPP in Rivne Oblast with the Kyiv Oblast power facilities, supplying electricity to the capital and the surrounding area. The suspect quit his job at the Rivne NPP before the full-scale war began. In the spring of 2025, a GRU liaison contacted him and offered cooperation in exchange for money. The suspect tried to install a GPS tracker on one of the main power line's poles. To approach the facility unnoticed, he allegedly scouted the locations of Ukrainian troops guarding the NPP. The man was detained when trying to activate a tracking module, the SBU said. Read also: Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as populist and pro-EU candidate are neck-and-neck We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine reports destroying Russian Buk air defense system, Uragan rocket launcher
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces' attack drones destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system and a Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system (MLSR), the military branch reported on May 13. During reconnaissance in an unspecified front-line sector, Special Operations Forces' operators detected the Buk-M3 and the Uragan-1 on combat duty, the unit said. Ukrainian forces then launched attack drones and hit the targets, destroying the Buk-M3 system with an estimated value of $45 million, as well as its ammunition. The statement did not specify the time of the attack. 0:00 / 1× The Buk-M3 is one of Russia's key air defense assets, used to engage targets in the air, on the ground, and on the water, according to Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. The Soviet-era Buk surface-to-air missile systems are used both by Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine inherited Buk anti-aircraft systems from the Soviet Union, but the weapons typically use Russian-produced missiles. In 2023, Ukraine announced it had converted the systems to fire U.S. missiles. The Uragan-1 is a Russian multi-caliber rocket launcher with the ability to swap launch containers. It operates with calibers of 200 and 300 mm. Read also: 'Like a game of tennis' — Russia, Ukraine court Trump to avoid being blamed for peace talks failure We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
13-05-2025
- Politics
Russia is responsible for downing MH17, global aviation agency's council finds
MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization on Tuesday found Russia responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine with the loss of 298 lives more than a decade ago, in a ruling that raises the prospect of victims' families being paid compensation. A Dutch-led international investigation concluded in 2016 that the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014, from Ukrainian territory held by separatist rebels using a Buk missile system delivered from Russia. Moscow denies any involvement in the MH17 tragedy. The Netherlands and Australian governments brought the case against Moscow before the Montreal-based global aviation agency in 2022, and on Tuesday welcomed the verdict. The International Court of Justice wasn't an option, because Russia doesn't recognize The Hague, Netherlands-based court's jurisdiction. The council found that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states 'refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.' It's the first time that the council, which represents 193 member states, has decided a dispute between governments. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the council would consider the question of reparations within weeks. 'In that context, the Netherlands and Australia are requesting that the ICAO Council order the Russian Federation to enter into negotiations with the Netherlands and Australia, and that the Council facilitate this process,' Veldkamp said in a statement. 'The latter is important in order to ensure that the negotiations are conducted in good faith and according to specific timelines, and that they will yield actual results,' he added. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged the council to move swiftly to 'determine remedies.' 'We call on Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for its horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,' Wong said in a statement. The Russian Embassy in Australia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said that the council had yet to publish the reasons for its decisions. 'One of the consequences for this process will be that the council will probably make some recommendations that Russia pay what are called reparations, which is an international term for damages, as a result of its violation of international law,' Rothwell said. 'So we have to wait and see exactly what the council finds on that particular point,' Rothwell added.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia responsible for downing MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, global aviation agency's council finds
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation on Tuesday found Russia responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine with the loss of 298 lives more than a decade ago, in a ruling that raises the prospect of victims' families being paid compensation. A Dutch-led international investigation concluded in 2016 that the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014 from Ukrainian territory held by separatist rebels using a Buk missile system delivered from denies any involvement in the MH17 Netherlands and Australian governments brought the case against Moscow before the Montreal-based global aviation agency in 2022, and on Tuesday welcomed the International Court of Justice wasn't an option, because Russia doesn't recognise The Hague, Netherlands-based court's finds that Russia violated the Chicago ConventionThe council found that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states "refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight."It's the first time that the council, which represents 193 member states, has decided a dispute between Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the council would consider the question of reparations within weeks."In that context, the Netherlands and Australia are requesting that the ICAO Council order the Russian Federation to enter into negotiations with the Netherlands and Australia, and that the Council facilitate this process," Veldkamp said in a statement."The latter is important in order to ensure that the negotiations are conducted in good faith and according to specific timelines, and that they will yield actual results," he Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged the council to move swiftly to "determine remedies.""We call on Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for its horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law," Wong said in a Embassy doesn't respondThe Russian Embassy in Australia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on National University international law expert Don Rothwell said that the council had yet to publish the reasons for its decisions."One of the consequences for this process will be that the council will probably make some recommendations that Russia pay what are called reparations, which is an international term for damages, as a result of its violation of international law," Rothwell said."So we have to wait and see exactly what the council finds on that particular point," Rothwell added.
