London: Ukraine has asked the International Court of Justice in the Hague to declare Russia responsible for the MH17 tragedy, and order it to make "full reparation" for all its victims.

The move appears to be separate to an international bid by countries, including Australia, to take action once a criminal investigation into the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines plane in 2014 concludes later this year.

This week Ukraine began proceedings at the ICJ accusing Russia of financing acts of terrorism within Ukraine, in violation of treaties that both countries have signed.

In a wide-ranging application to the court asking it to take up the case, Ukraine accused Russia of "increasing pressure and intimidation" since the Orange Revolution of 2004.