On March 27, 2025, Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom jointly submitted a counter-memorandum to the International Court of Justice concerning the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, which resulted in the deaths of 176 individuals.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this action is a significant step toward achieving justice for the victims and their families, while also holding Iran accountable for serious violations of international law.
On March 17, 2025, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed its jurisdiction to address the dispute regarding Iran’s breach of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, following the aircraft’s destruction on January 8, 2020, over Tehran, caused by military personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Background on the PS752 Incident
The PS752 flight crashed shortly after departing from Tehran’s airport en route to Kyiv on January 8, 2020. All 167 passengers and 9 crew members onboard lost their lives.
On January 11, 2020, Iran acknowledged that its military had mistakenly shot down the Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines. The Iranian government accepted full responsibility for the incident and expressed its intention to compensate the families of the victims equally.
On April 16, 2023, an Iranian court sentenced ten military personnel in connection with the PS752 disaster. The commander of the missile system involved received a 13-year prison term, while the other nine were given sentences ranging from one to three years.
On April 18, 2023, an international coordination group for the victims of flight PS752 criticized the Iranian judicial process as biased and lacking transparency, vowing to pursue justice for the affected families.
A forensic examination conducted in Canada over eight months concluded on June 24, 2021, that there was no evidence the aircraft had been intentionally shot down.
On June 29, 2023, Ukraine and other members of the international coordination group filed a lawsuit against Iran at the United Nations International Court regarding the PS752 incident.
On July 5, 2023, Ukraine, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden jointly filed a lawsuit against Iran in the International Court of Justice due to the downing of PS752.
On July 10, 2023, the Iranian Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom of pursuing political objectives through their lawsuit regarding the PS752 incident.
On June 10, 2024, an Ontario court ruled that Ukraine International Airlines exhibited negligence and was responsible for compensating the families of the victims, despite Iran’s role in the incident. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated it would continue efforts to hold Iran legally accountable for the disaster.
On April 18, 2025, Iran initiated proceedings against Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom in the International Court, contesting the ICAO’s March 17 decision regarding the PS752 downing.
On August 13, 2025, an Ontario appellate court dismissed an appeal from Ukraine International Airlines and mandated the airline to fully compensate the families of the PS752 victims.
The joint counter-memorandum submitted by Ukraine and its allies marks a critical development in the ongoing legal efforts to hold Iran accountable for the PS752 tragedy. This action follows a series of legal proceedings and statements regarding the incident, reflecting the complexities of international law and accountability.