MH17 legal action adds to growing pressure on Russia

Australia and the Netherlands are set to take legal action against the Russian Federation for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17. The move is seen as an escalation from the Dutch-led investigation alleging individual responsibility for the attack.

FILE - This Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015 file photo, shows the reconstructed wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Source: AP

The Boeing 777 aircraft was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July the 14th when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine by what prosecutors say was a Buk air missile fired by pro-Russian rebels.  All 298 people onboard, including 38 Australians, died.  The current  legal action  differs from the Dutch Joint Investigation Team's  prosecution of four individuals - one Ukrainian and three Russians - alleged to be criminally responsible.  This move targets the Russian state, rather than the individuals themselves.