Russian officials at the United Nations have vetoed a draft resolution to set up a tribunal to investigate the Malaysia Airlines MH17 disaster.

The plane came down over Ukraine in July 2014 and is widely believed to have been hit by a missile fired by Russian-back rebels in the east of the country.
Pro-Russian rebels in the area have denied shooting down the aircraft.

Russia was the only nation at the 15-member UN Security Council to oppose the move.

The flight was on route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed, with the loss of all 298 people on board.

Western nations say they have evidence the plane was hit by a Russian-supplied Buk anti-aircraft missile.

Russia also denies the claims.

Malaysia pushed for an international tribunal to try those responsible.

The move was backed by the Netherlands - which had 196 nationals on board - Ukraine, Belgium and Australia.

Russia exercised its veto at the Security Council session in New York during a vote on Wednesday, while 11 other members backed the draft resolution.

Angola, China and Venezuela abstained.

Board is due to be released in October.