The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia violated international law in Ukraine, marking the first time an international court has found the Kremlin responsible for human rights abuses since its 2022 invasion. The court also held Russia accountable for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, which killed 298 people.
The rulings are separate from a criminal prosecution in the Netherlands, where two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia of multiple murders for their roles in the downing of MH17. The court found that Russia breached international humanitarian law by carrying out attacks that killed thousands of civilians and created fear and terror.
While the decisions are largely symbolic due to Russia’s expulsion from the EU court system in 2022, Kyiv hailed them as “historic and unprecedented.” Families of MH17 victims saw the decision as an important milestone in their 11-year quest for justice. The victims’ families, including Thomas Schansman who lost his son Quinn in the tragedy, have vowed to continue fighting for justice despite a decade-long pursuit.
The ruling comes amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Kyiv planning to set up a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/09/top-european-court-rules-russia-violated-international-law-in-ukraine