Five years on, Malaysia vows to continue MH17 investigation

The Malaysian government released a statement on Wednesday promising that it will continue its search for the culprits of the crash of flight MH17 five years ago.

Debris of the Boeing 777 that was Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile over Ukraine on July 17, 2014. [File Photo: IC]

"The Malaysian government will continue to pursue those who were responsible for this heinous crime and secure justice for the victims," said the statement. "We will remain resolute in our pursuit, and we will leave no stone unturned until justice is served."

Five years ago to the day, the aircraft was flying over territory in Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian forces when it was hit by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. The plane disintegrated, killing all 298 people on board.

According to the team of international investigators, Russian-controlled forces were responsible for the attack, and four individuals – three Russians and one Ukrainian – have been charged with murder over the crash.

But Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has called the findings of the international investigators into question, and suggested that they are part of a political plot to smear Russia.

Malaysia will continue to work with the international investigation team.