The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday delivered a powerful verdict against Russia, finding it responsible for serious violations of international law in Ukraine spanning more than a decade.
The ruling covers four cases filed by Ukraine and the Netherlands and includes crimes committed during the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine and following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The court found Russia liable for a wide range of atrocities, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, as well as murder, torture, rape, abductions, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
It also held Moscow accountable for the forced transfer of Ukrainian children during the ongoing conflict.
The decision marks a significant moment for families of MH17 victims, particularly the 196 Dutch citizens among the 298 people killed when the aircraft was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile over separatist-held territory.
The judges ruled that Russia’s denial of involvement and its failure to properly investigate the incident violated international law and deepened the anguish of victims’ families.
Earlier in May, the United Nations’ aviation body also concluded that Russia was responsible for the MH17 disaster.
The war in eastern Ukraine, which began in 2014, claimed approximately 14,000 lives before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
While Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in 2022 following its invasion, the ECHR retains jurisdiction over cases involving actions taken before the expulsion. Legally, Russia is still required to participate in these proceedings.
The court will address the issue of financial compensation at a later date, though there is little optimism that Russia will pay any damages.
