Two servicemen killed in missile explosion

Moscow, Apr 28 (UNI) An air-to-air missile today exploded at an air base near Moscow, killing two servicemen, the commander of Russian Air Force Gen Vladimir Mikhailov said.

He said the explosion occurred at 1000 hrs IST at a military base at Sergiyev Posad, 70 kilometers northeast of Moscow.

The missile's engine had spontaneously combusted causing the explosion, killing an officer and a serviceman instantly, the Commander added.

''Several dozen missiles were delivered to the testing range for disposal by being exploded, but one of them exploded earlier than planned, killing Maj Sergei Kurtin and Private Maksimov,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mikhailov as saying.

An investigation into the incident was ordered, he said.

UNI XC SB KN1600