THE EMPTY CHAIRS IN FRONT OF THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN THE NETHERLANDS: Survivors of the people killed when a Russian-made missile shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014 placed them there. The empty chairs, of course, represent their deceased loved ones.

Reuters:

Rows of white chairs were placed in front of Russia’s embassy in The Hague on Sunday in a quiet protest by families of those who were shot down with Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, on the eve of the trial – in absentia – of four men accused of murder for their involvement.

The trial starts tomorrow.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a press release today outlining the U.S. position. His statement is succinct but here’s a key point:

…All of those indicted are members of Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine. We call upon all States to cooperate in efforts to establish accountability, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2166.

This trial is a critical moment in the search for justice for the families and friends of the 298 individuals who lost their lives on July 17, 2014.

Several media organizations reported last November that electronic intercepts (by Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency) confirmed officials in Moscow (including a deputy prime minister) were in contact with two of the men under indictment. This BBC report has the critical details and names names.

I wrote a column about the Flight MH17 disaster (published July 24, 2014).

MH17’s fatal interception has opened eyes. For several good reasons, to include photos of SA-11 mobile launchers departing Ukraine for Russia, numerous experts believe a Russian-made SA-11 surface-to-air missile shot down MH17.

The missile itself is only one component of a complex weapon system. Militiamen do not simply find an SA-11 launcher, functional missiles, control vans, radar and other communications equipment. The Kremlin had to authorize the delivery of the SA-11 system to its militia proxies.

That was my conclusion at the time — at a minimum Russia had to be providing logistical, maintenance and intelligence support to the separatist missile unit. Of course Kremlin propagandists claimed the incident was a CIA plot to discredit Russia and justify NATO expansion.

Follow this link to find technical and historical information on the SA-11 and its variants.