Five years since the downing of Ukrainian airliner by Iran

On January 8, 2025, the world marked the somber fifth anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The tragic incident, which occurred shortly after the plane’s departure from Tehran, resulted in the deaths of 176 innocent civilians from Ukraine, Iran, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Germany, and Afghanistan. Despite Iran’s claims that the airliner was mistakenly identified as a hostile target by their air defense unit, no substantial evidence has been provided to support this assertion.

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) calls upon the international democratic community to intensify political and economic pressure on the Iranian regime, holding it accountable for its actions and its support of Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine and its civilians. The recent downing of the Azerbaijan Airlines jet in December 2024 further exemplifies Russia’s brash attitude and disregard for international norms.

“Today, we honor the innocent victims of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, whose lives were tragically cut short due to Iran’s militaristic ambitions and reckless behavior. Five years on, Iran has yet to offer reparations to the victims’ families or acknowledge its responsibility. Moreover, the Tehran regime has aligned itself with Moscow and other authoritarian states in their war against Ukraine and the global democratic community,” stated UWC President Paul Grod.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Iran has forged an alliance with Russia, supplying it with weaponry and military technology used to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and harm innocent civilians. Notably, Iran has provided Russia with Shahed 136 loitering munitions, which have been used to attack Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure and cause deliberate harm to civilians.

“The international democratic community must stand firm against global terrorism and the coalition of authoritarian states led by Moscow. Just as Iran has obfuscated the truth about the downing of flight PS752, it continues to evade responsibility,” Grod added.

“We urge all allies of Ukraine to increase pressure on Iran, impose additional sanctions on the regime, freeze and confiscate its assets, and ensure reparations are made to Ukraine and the families of the PS752 victims. Justice must prevail, and this evil must be stopped.”

About the Ukrainian World Congress

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is an international non-profit organization representing over 25 million Ukrainians in more than 80 countries. Founded in 1967, it promotes the defense of Ukraine’s nation state, its people, and territorial integrity, while fostering Ukrainian national identity globally. Recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council, the UWC advocates for Ukraine’s Euro-integration, NATO membership, recognition of the Holodomor as genocide, and protection of human and minority rights.