The Dutch government has spent over 166 million euros ($180 million) in addressing the aftermath of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. This includes repatriating victims' bodies, investigating, and prosecuting individuals involved in the incident. The Boeing 777, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Buk missile launched from rebel-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine. The tragic event resulted in the loss of all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch citizens.
In November 2022, a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian for their roles in the downing, sentencing them to life imprisonment. The trial, conducted in absentia, revealed that the missile and its launcher were transported from a Russian military base into Ukraine and later returned to Russia.
The extensive international investigation and trial costs exceeded 87 million euros, as reported by the Netherlands Court of Audit. Additionally, the Dutch government paid approximately 16.5 million euros to the victims' families as an advance on the compensation ordered by the court.
The government aims to seek compensation from Russia through a case filed with the International Civil Aviation Organization, despite Moscow's denial of involvement in the incident. Furthermore, the Dutch government is supporting families pursuing legal action against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights.
The audit revealed that repatriating and identifying the victims' bodies incurred costs exceeding 31 million euros, while expenses related to international legal proceedings and diplomacy amounted to 5.7 million euros.
