Three Russians and one Ukrainian, allegedly involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014, would be tried for murder in the Netherlands, the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the tragedy said on Wednesday.

"We have decided to prosecute four suspects for downing flight MH17," said Fred Westerbeke, a lead investigator for JIT. "This is the start of the Dutch criminal proceedings," he said.