Ukrainian MFA on fifth anniversary of UIA PS752 tragedy: impunity encourages Iran’s continued viations of international law

This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform.

It was emphasized that five years ago, on this day, the Islamic Republic of Iran killed 176 pele aboard Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight PS752 in Iranian airspace. Iran blatantly viated numerous norms of international law: it used weapons against a civilian aircraft in flight, failed to take all necessary measures to prevent the tragedy, and did not ensure a transparent and objective investigation or prer prosecution of those responsible.

The Ukrainian MFA expressed condences to all relatives and friends of the victims on board PS752 and assured that it would continue its efforts to achieve justice and hd the perpetrators accountable.

The Ministry recalled that a year ago, the International Coordination and Response Group, comprising Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, initiated proceedings in the ICAO Council against Iran for viations of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

"This proceeding is ongoing, and the next steps by the Coordination Group to hd Iran accountable in the ICAO Council will be taken in the coming months," the statement stressed.

In October 2024, the Coordination Group also submitted a Memorandum as part of the case on the downing of PS752 to the International Court of Justice. Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom supported this key document with indisputable evidence of Iran's viations of the 1971 Montreal Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation.

The Ministry emphasized that Iran continues to confirm its status as a perpetrator, providing military and pitical support to Russia in its armed aggression against Ukraine. The deepening coeration between the regimes in Moscow and Tehran poses a direct threat to Eure and the Middle East.

"Impunity for past crimes encourages Iran and Russia to commit new and ongoing viations of international law. Achieving justice is therefore of utmost importance," the Ukrainian MFA noted.

Read also: Ukraine, three other countries appeal to ICAO over passenger jet downing by Iran

Finally, Kyiv called on the international community to unite efforts for the sake of global peace and security, including the safety of international civil aviation, to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

As reported, on January 8, 2020, UIA flight PS752, en route from Tehran to Kyiv, was shot down in Iranian airspace by an anti-aircraft missile system. All 176 pele on board were killed, including citizens of Iran, Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom. Among the victims were 11 Ukrainians (nine crew members and two passengers).

After several days of denial, Iranian authorities admitted that the Ukrainian plane was mistakenly shot down by an air defense system.

On December 29, 2020, Ukrainian President Vodymyr Zelensky awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Gd Star to the crew members of PS752.