“AMSTERDAM: “Netherlands Marks 10th Anniversary of MH17 Disaster”, The Netherlands solemnly commemorated the 10th anniversary of the MH17 tragedy, honoring the 298 victims of the flight shot down over Ukraine. The ceremony brought together grieving families and dignitaries from Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Belgium, and Ukraine, reflecting on a decade since the devastating event.”
“Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, amid conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of all 298 passengers and crew members, including 196 Dutch citizens.
The wreckage and victims’ remains were scattered across fields of corn and sunflowers, underscoring the devastation of the event. A commemorative ceremony in Amsterdam marked the 10th anniversary of the disaster, attended by mourners and representatives from Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Belgium, and Ukraine.”
During the ceremony, which took place at the MH17 monument in the village of Vijfhuizen near Amsterdam, loved ones read out loud the names of all the victims.
Mark Rutte, who was Prime Minister when the disaster happened and a Putin critic ever since, was thanked and applauded for his efforts during his time in office.
Based on an international investigation, a Dutch court in 2022 said there was no doubt that the plane was shot down by a Russian missile system and that Russia had “overall control” over the forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine from mid-May 2014.
The court convicted two former Russian intelligence agents and a Ukrainian separatist leader in absentia of murder for their role in the transport into Ukraine of the Russian military BUK missile system that was used to shoot down the plane.
