The Dutch government says it is taking Russia to the European Court of Human Rights for its "role in the downing" of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014.

Dutch-led investigators say they have proof the Buk missile system that shot down the plane was brought from Russia.

In a statement, the Dutch foreign ministry said the government "decided to bring Russia before the European Court of Human Rights for its role in the downing of Flight MH17".

It said that "by taking this course of action the government is offering maximum support" to individual cases already brought against Russia by victims' families.

At the same time, the Dutch foreign ministry stressed on the "importance to continuing the meetings with Russia on the matter of state responsibility"

Late last year, Russia was asked by Dutch prosecutors to arrest a Ukrainian suspect alleged to have run rebel air defences close to the missile firing site

The Dutch and Australian governments made clear in 2018 they held Russia responsible for the deployment of the Buk missile launcher that brought down the plane