Russia has been ruled responsible for downing Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine by the UN's aviation council, more than 11 years after the disaster.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) determined that Russia was behind the attack that killed all 298 passengers and crew aboard.
Among the victims were 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australian citizens or residents.
Australia and the Netherlands, who brought the case to the ICAO in 2022, are now seeking reparations from Russia.
The ICAO declared that Russia was behind the attack
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Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014.
The aircraft was shot down over eastern Ukraine as fighting raged between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.
In November 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their roles.
Moscow rejected the ruling and called it "scandalous".
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Both Australian and Dutch Governments have indicated that the ICAO Council will consider appropriate reparations in the coming weeks.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement: "The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones.
"This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the decision and urged the ICAO to move swiftly to determine remedies.
Moscow has called the ruling 'scandalous'
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Wong noted: "We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations."
The ICAO did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While the UN aviation body lacks regulatory power, it holds moral suasion and sets global aviation standards.
The council is expected to determine appropriate remedies in the coming weeks.
In 2023, Australia sanctioned three men involved in the downing of MH17. The sanctions targeted Russian Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko, both sentenced to life imprisonment.
Another perpetrator, Igor Girkin, had been sanctioned by Australia in 2014.
Wong said these sanctions demonstrated Australia's commitment to holding those responsible to account. She affirmed Australia would "pursue all available avenues" for justice.
