Australia and the Netherlands have launched legal action against the Russian Federation over the downing of Malaysia flight MH17 in 2014, in a sharp escalation that confronts the Russian state rather than individuals for the deaths of 298 people on board the flight.

The move joins the countries in formal proceedings in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in a bid to force negotiations over compensation payments to the families of the victims.

Russia withdrew from negotiations with Australia and the Netherlands in October 2020.

It’s hoped the legal action will lead to some justice for the families of those murdered on MH17, including 38 people who called Australia home.

Today on Please Explain, chief political correspondent David Crowe joins Bianca Hall to discuss the legal action and what it might achieve.