Russian defence ministry, Archive in Podolsk, Russia

"Five years might have passed, but our resolve for accountability and justice would not wane. The Malaysian government will continue to pursue those who were responsible for this heinous crime and justice for the victims," the Malaysian transport ministry said in a statement."We will remain resolute in our pursuit, and we will leave no stone unturned until justice is served," it concluded, reported Efe news.The aircraft, which was traveling between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014 by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile fired from an area in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia militias, according to the official investigation.Australia on Wednesday also spoke out about holding Russia responsible for bringing down the plane."Together with the Netherlands we are engaging in talks with the Russian Federation arising out of our joint assertion on 25 May 2018 of Russia's state responsibility for its role in the downing," Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on the fifth anniversary of the crash.After the Joint Investigation Team published its report last year, the Netherlands and Australia - the two countries with the most crash victims - formally held Russia responsible for "participating" in the downing of MH17.Payne said the JIT took a "significant step towards justice and accountability" when it last month moved to indict three Russ and a Ukrainian over the incident."The Australian Government remains resolute in its commitment to pursuing accountability for the downing and to achieving justice for the victims and their loved ones," her statement said.The JIT's June report, which announced that charges would be pressed against the suspects in the Netherlands, was met with criticism from Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who denounced alleged political motivations for incriminating Russia and demanded proof of guilt.However, in its statement on Wednesday, the Malaysian government said that it would continue working with members of the JIT.Family members of the Australian victims of the incident gathered in front of the Russian consulate in Sydney on Wednesday. There they left black cards with the names of the dead and read a letter urging Moscow to stop its "denials and lies.""We reiterate our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of this terrible crime," the Russian Embassy in Australia tweeted on its official account.Russia has vehemently denied the inquiry commission's two main arguments: that the missile was launched from an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists and that it had been transported from Russia, where it may have been sent back to after the catastrophe.( With inputs from IANS )

Russian Defence MinistryFOLLOW

Russian defence ministry, Latest News

At least 11 people were killed in multiple airstrikes in rebel-held northwestern Syria on Sunday. ...

British Airways and German airline Lufthansa, two of Europe's largest airlines, have suspended flights to Cairo for unspecified security reasons. ...

An India-built cryostat base and lower cylinder are ready for installation in the $25 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) that is under construction in France, it was announced on Saturday. ...

In a bureaucratic reshuffle, the Central government on Friday transferred eight officials, including Vivek Kumar who has been appointed as Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ...

A day after the US removed Turkey from F-53 fighter jets programme, President Donald Trump on Thursday said it has not ruled out imposing sanction on Ankara over its purchase of Russia S-400 jets. ...

Time is running out to save a key missile treaty with Russia, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said. ...

The deliveries of S-400 system from Russia will be made by April 2013, said Union MoS Defence Shripad Naik on Wednesday in the Lok Sabha. ...

The governments of Malaysia and Australia on Wednesday reiterated their determination to bring justice to the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down in eastern Ukraine with 298 people on board five years ago. ...