Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for a huge explosion that reportedly struck the city of Taganrog, in the Rostov region, today (Friday, July 28).
Footage from the blast site shows widespread damage to a restaurant and to a nearby museum.
Earlier videos captured a loud blast that could reportedly be heard for miles around.
Windows have been blown out around the impact zone with the surrounding street littered in metal shrapnel.
The explosion appears to have severely damaged nearby buildings with cars buried in mounds of rumble.
The suspected missile strike has left some 17 people reportedly injured, according to Russian media reports.
Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the blast which Russia has branded a “terror attack”.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the explosion was caused by an S200 air-defence missile which had been intercepted by Russian air defences.
Rescue teams are reportedly searching beneath the rubble at the Chekhov Garden restaurant, which is believed to have taken the brunt of the blast.
Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram that another missile was intercepted by air defences elsewhere in the region.
However, he did not provide any further details.
The city of Taganrog sits on the Sea of Azov about 24 miles east of the border with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone was shot down earlier today outside Moscow, Russia’s Defence Ministry said. It was the third drone strike or attempt on the capital region this month.
Two drones struck the Russian capital on Monday, one of them falling in the centre of the city near the Defence Ministry’s headquarters along the Moscow River about three kilometers (two miles) from the Kremlin. The other drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors.
The ministry said there were no injuries or damage in the early morning incident. It didn’t give the exact location where the drone was shot down.
The incident adds to evidence that Moscow is vulnerable to attack as the war drags into its 18th month.
Two drones struck the Russian capital on Monday, one of them falling in the centre of the city near the Defence Ministry’s headquarters along the Moscow River about two miles from the Kremlin.
The other drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors.
