Labor notes the conclusive finding from the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that the missile that shot down Malaysian Airlines flight MH 17 over Ukraine in 2014 belonged to the Russian Federation’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Military Brigade. 

We commend the professionalism and rigour in which the JIT has continued to pursue its painstaking investigations, despite Russian intransigence.

The finding confirms the pivotal role of Russian elements in the murder of 298 innocent people, including 38 Australians.

It reinforces the JIT’s earlier findings that the BUK missile was taken from Russia to eastern Ukraine and back to Russia,  and launched from an area controlled by pro-Russian fighters.

We have full confidence in the independence of the JIT and in its thorough investigation that includes members from Australia, as well as Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine. 

It is now long past time for Russia to abandon its obstructionist approach and fully co-operate with international efforts to find justice for those killed in this senseless and criminal act.

We owe it to victims and their families to do everything possible to ensure those responsible for the downing of MH 17 are identified and brought to trial.