The Ukrainian Embassy in Canberra has marked the 10th anniversary of the shooting down of flight MH17 on July 16, 2014.
“In the name of the Government of Ukraine, we today again extend our heart-felt thoughts and prayers to the 298 people, particularly the 38 innocent Australians, whose lives were ripped from the sky by the forces of evil in the form of Putin’s malevolent mercenaries in eastern Ukraine,” Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko said.
A Joint Investigation Team determined that MH17 was shot down by a Russian BUK surface-to-air missile system brought from Russia into eastern Ukraine territory under the control of Russian forces. It was launched by the Russian military’s 53rd Brigade, with ‘strong indications’ that Putin authorised the supply of the missile system. Three individuals controlled by the Russian Federation have been found guilty in absentia of murder by a Dutch court.
“It is an abomination that the Russian Federation and its leadership has refused to acknowledge its role and responsibility for the destruction of MH17 and the murder of 283 passengers and 15 crew members,” said Myroshnychenko. “Therefore, Ukraine continues to support further prosecutions through the European Court of Human Rights.”
“Russia is emboldened by the world’s silence,” he added. “When we step back, the criminals of the Kremlin manifest ever-more murderous moves. It is therefore vital that we always remember the downing of MH17 and its Australian victims because to do so is to stand against tyranny and terrorism.”
