Russia missile test goes astray, hits residential building

Moscow: A Russian cruise missile has gone astray after a test launch from northern Arkhangelsk region. It fell on a residential building, the Defence Ministry has said, however, there were no reports of any casualties or injured.

According to TASS news agency, the missile was tested by NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

"Experts from NPO Mashinostroyeniya conducted a test launch of a cruise missile. As a result of an emergency situation the missile deviated from the flight plan and fell not far from the village of Nyonoksa, located in the Arkhangelsk region. A special committee is currently looking into the matter," the Defence Minsitery said.

While there were no casualties, the missile crash did start a fire, damaging all four flats in a two-storey building in the town, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity and local media reports cited by TASS news agency.

An experimental surface-to-air missile in April crashed on launch in the same northern region of Arkhangelsk.