Russia Proposes Alternative UN Resolution For MH17 Case

Russia says that it has introduced an alternative UN Security Council resolution that is opposed to creating a tribunal that would prosecute those responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine a year ago.

The Netherlands, whose citizens made up the majority of the 298 people killed in the July 17, 2014, tragedy, is working with Malaysia and other countries to create an international tribunal in the case.

Russia and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine claim the plane was shot down by Ukrainian government forces.

But leaks from a draft investigatory report by a Dutch-led international team suggest the evidence points at separatists and possibly a team of Russian soldiers using a Buk surface-to-air missile launcher.

After the secret draft report by investigators was circulated to representatives on the investigatory team, including Russia, President Vladimir Putin last week said establishing an international tribunal would be "premature" and "counterproductive."

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and TASS