Rallies are being held by the Ukrainian-Australian community in Sydney at Martin Place on Wednesday 17 July at 12:00pm, and in Canberra outside the Russian embassy on Saturday 20 July at 11:00am to mark the 10th anniversary of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 by Russian forces.
The rallies will:
- commemorate the 298 innocent passengers on board, 38 of whom were Australians
- demand Russia take responsibility for the downing of MH17
- urge justice for the victims and their families
- remind the world that Russia continues to shoot missiles into Ukrainian cities and towns daily, targeting civilians, residential areas, hospitals and schools.
As determined by the international Joint Investigation Team, Flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile system that had been transported from Russia into an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia at the time. It was launched by the Russian military’s 53rd Brigade, with ‘strong indications’ that Putin authorised the supply of the missile system.
Russia refuses to take responsibility for the downing of MH17 and the murder of all on board.
“Our community’s thoughts today are with the victims, their families and loved ones. We share their grief at the senseless loss of life, the result of a callous, murderous act,” said Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the AFUO.
“We support Australia’s conviction that Russia is responsible for the downing of Flight MH17 and support efforts to secure justice for the victims,
“We also urge the world to remember that today, Russia continues to shoot thousands of missiles into Ukraine, killing and maiming innocent men, women and children. Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed the horrific bombing of Okhmatdyt children’s hospital and a maternity hospital in Kyiv.
“Russia was emboldened by the weak international response to their occupation of Crimea and covert war in eastern Ukraine, which set the stage for the deadly and traumatic period Ukraine is now navigating.
“We believe the world must surely now realise that true peace and justice will only be secured when Russia is defeated and held accountable for its crimes, aggression and violation of international law,” she said.
#MH17 #NeverForgotten #JusticeForMH17
Additional information about the downing of Flight MH17
As determined by the international Joint Investigation Team (comprising investigators and prosecutors from The Netherlands, Belgium, Ukraine, Malaysia and Australia), Flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air BUK-TELAR missile system in an area of Ukraine controlled by Russia at the time.
The missile and launcher were transported to Ukraine from Russia, and then taken back afterwards. The launcher crew were members of the Russian military’s 53rd Brigade, based in Kursk.
Investigators also concluded there are ‘strong indications’ that the Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the supply of the BUK missile system used to shoot down the plane.
The findings from the investigation led the District Court of The Hague in November 2022 to make findings of the Russian Government’s involvement in the downing of Flight 17, and findings of guilt against three fighters – Igor Gurkin, Sergey Dubinsky and Leonid Kharcheko – for playing significant roles in transporting, positioning and returning the missile. They were tried in absentia, believed to be hiding in Russia.
The investigation has now been suspended due to Russia’s lack of cooperation with the investigation.
Russia has consistently spread disinformation about what caused the downing of MH17, refusing to take responsibility for the downing of MH17 and the murder of all on board.
