'Killers' behind MH17 downing must face justice: Turnbull

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has vowed to continue to take Russia to task over the 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

File image of Malcolm Turnbull

File image of Malcolm Turnbull Source: AAP

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has vowed the killers who downed flight MH17 with a Russian missile in 2014 will be brought to justice.

A Dutch-led investigation has found close to 100 people were linked to the transport and firing of the missile and that it was driven from Russia into an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed rebels.

All 298 people aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight - including 38 Australian citizens or residents - died in the attack.

Mr Turnbull says Australia will continue to pursue Russia over the tragedy.

"The perpetrator, the criminals, the killers that did this should be brought to justice," he told reporters in Launceston on Thursday.
Mr Turnbull said he had discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks.

Australia would continue to press Russia within the UN Security Council to allow prosecutions to take place.

Mr Turnbull said all victims from different nationalities deserved justice.

"We will be tireless in our efforts to ensure that justice is done," he said.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says Moscow needs to face facts.

"A very thorough Dutch-led report on the MH17 atrocity, confirming that a Russian missile downed the plane," he tweeted.

"Putin should face the truth."

Mr Abbott famously threatened to "shirtfront" President Putin over the incident.

Labor called on Russia to abandon its obstructionist approach and fully co-operate with international efforts to find justice for those killed in "this senseless and criminal act".

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Source: AAP


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