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Flight MH17, Ukraine, and the New Cold War

Gabriel Hayes

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Published in Flight MH17 Ukraine And The New Cold War: Prism Of Disaster (Geopolitical Economy)

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Flight MH17, Ukraine and the new Cold War: Prism of disaster (Geopolitical Economy)

by Bonnie K. Hunter

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew aboard. The incident sent shockwaves around the world and became a pivotal moment in the escalating tensions between Russia and the West.

The Crash

MH17 was a Boeing 777-200ER that was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) over the village of Hrabove in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The plane broke up in mid-air and its wreckage was scattered over a wide area.

Initial reports suggested that the plane had been shot down by a Ukrainian military aircraft, but these claims were quickly debunked. In September 2014, the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) released a preliminary report that concluded that MH17 had been brought down by a Buk missile system, which is a Russian-made SAM.

The Investigation

An international investigation into the downing of MH17 was led by the Dutch authorities. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) included experts from the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium, and Ukraine.

The JIT's investigation concluded that MH17 had been shot down by a Buk missile system that was operated by the Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The missile was fired from a field near the village of Snizhne, which was controlled by the separatists at the time.

Political Fallout

The downing of MH17 had a significant political impact. It led to international condemnation of Russia and contributed to the escalation of tensions between Russia and the West.

The United States and its allies accused Russia of supplying the separatists with the Buk missile system and training them to use it. Russia denied these allegations and claimed that the missile had been fired by the Ukrainian military.

The downing of MH17 also led to increased diplomatic isolation of Russia. The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Russia, and many countries withdrew their ambassadors from Moscow.

Proxy War

The downing of MH17 marked a turning point in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has been described as a proxy war between Russia and the West.

Russia has supported the separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons, training, and financial aid. The West has supported the Ukrainian government with military assistance and diplomatic backing.

The proxy war in eastern Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 people and has displaced over 1 million others. It has also raised concerns about the risk of a wider conflict between Russia and the West.

"New Cold War"

The downing of MH17 has been seen as a symbol of the "new Cold War" between Russia and the West. This term refers to the escalating tensions between the two powers, which have been characterized by diplomatic standoffs, cyberattacks, and military build-ups.

The new Cold War is different from the original Cold War in that it is not a direct military confrontation between two superpowers. However, it is still a dangerous period, as it could lead to a wider conflict between Russia and the West.

The downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014 was a pivotal moment in the escalating tensions between Russia and the West. The incident led to international condemnation of Russia and contributed to the escalation of the proxy war in eastern Ukraine.

The downing of MH17 also raised concerns about the risk of a wider conflict between Russia and the West. This conflict has been described as a "new Cold War," and it is a dangerous period that could have far-reaching consequences for the world.

Flight MH17, Ukraine and the new Cold War: Prism of disaster (Geopolitical Economy)

by Bonnie K. Hunter

4.2 out of 5