U.N. to vote on MH17 tribunal; Russia says likely to block

A woman places flowers outside the Dutch embassy to commemorate the victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 plane crash a year ago in Kiev, Ukraine, July 17, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Wednesday on a bid for an international tribunal to prosecute those suspected of downing a passenger airliner last year in Ukraine, but Russia said on Friday it was likely to block the move.

Malaysia last month circulated a draft resolution to form the tribunal. Russia last week proposed a rival text that demands justice for the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, but does not establish a tribunal.