Russia's ambassador to the United Nations says Moscow will veto a UN Security Council resolution aimed at creating a tribunal to prosecute those guilty of shooting down a Malaysian passenger airliner over eastern Ukraine in July 2014.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said on July 17 that if the resolution garners enough votes in the 15-member body to be adopted, Russia will veto it.

However, he expressed the certainty that the resolution would not be passed. Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014, with the loss of 298 lives.

Ukraine and many Western governments believe the jet was shot down by Russia-backed separatists using weapons provided by Moscow.

Russia denies any involvement and has accused the Ukrainian military of downing MH17.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax