Russian cruise missile 'deviates from flight path', accidentally hits Russian village

There were conflicting reports over the extent of damage caused, as the Russian Defence Ministry downplayed the incident

The cruise missile hit a three-story building in Nyonoksa, Russia (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The Russian military has confirmed that a cruise missile fired at one of its naval bases went off course, coming down instead in a Russian village.

Part of the missile, which was fired as part of a test launch in the far north-west of the country, was reported to have struck a block of flats.

While no one was believed to be injured, there were conflicting reports as to the extent of the damage in the small White Sea village of Nyonoksa, 40km west of the Severodvinsk naval base.

According to the BBC, military investigators were sent to the scene of the impact at around 11am local time on Tuesday morning, to inspect reported damage to four flats and the building's roof.

But in a statement, the ministry said the missile itself had inflicted no damage after it "deviated from its designated flight path".

The bungled launch occurred on the other side of Russia from the Caspian Sea, where Moscow has been actively firing cruise missiles at targets in Syria.

It will nonetheless come as a concern for human rights activists, already wary of the accuracy of Russian air strikes amid ongoing reports of civilian casualties.

Military officials cited an unidentified problem with the missile as it was being tested by NPO Mashinostroyeniye, one of Russia's leading arms manufacturers, which itself had no immediate comment on the failed launch.

The defence ministry didn't specify the missile type or offer any other details. It said experts were working to determine the reasons behind the failure.

Additional reporting by agencies