European Court: Russia Was Behind Downing of MH17

Europe's top human rights court delivered damning judgments Wednesday against Russia in four cases brought by Kyiv and the Netherlands accusing Moscow of atrocities in Ukraine dating back more than a decade—among them the downing of Flight MH17. Reading the decisions in a packed courtroom in Strasbourg, Court President Mattias Guyomar said Russian forces breached international humanitarian law in Ukraine by carrying out attacks that "killed and wounded thousands of civilians and created fear and terror." What you need to know, per the AP:

• Regarding MH17: Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels loyal to Moscow. The judges found that Russia's refusal to acknowledge its involvement in the Flight MH17 disaster violated international law.
• Responsibility: The New York Times reports the court ruled that the missile was fired "either by a member of the Russian military crew of the Buk truck" or Russia-backed separatists, but that it was "not necessary" for it to investigate which was the case since Russia controlled both its military and the separatists.
• Other findings: Per the Times, the judges found Russia responsible for "widespread and flagrant abuses of human rights" in Ukraine dating to 2014, among them summary executions, torture, rape, looting, and the "transfer to Russia, and in many cases, the adoption there of Ukrainian children." The Times calls the rulings "largely symbolic" but ones that "highlighted Moscow's increasing isolation."
• Russia is unmoved: The 501-page judgment noted that Russia's refusal to participate in the proceedings also was a violation of the European Convention of Human Rights, the treaty that underpins the court. Asked about the judgment before the rulings were read, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We won't abide by it, we consider it void."

• More responses: Ukraine hailed it as "historic and unprecedented," saying it was an "undeniable victory" for the embattled country.
• About the court: The ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent's foremost human rights institution. The court's governing body expelled Moscow in 2022 in response to the invasion of Ukraine. However, the court can still deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion and, legally, the country is still obliged to participate in proceedings. The court will rule on financial compensation at a later date, but Russia's departure leaves little hope that damages will ever be collected.
• What's next: Wednesday's rulings won't be the last from the EHCR dealing with the war. Kyiv has other cases pending against Russia and there are nearly 10,000 cases brought by individuals against the Kremlin.