Army offers to pay as stray rocket hits house

MOSCOW - Russia's military has offered compensation to a homeowner after a small rocket veered off course and hit his country house outside Moscow.

Russian internet chatrooms were buzzing after local news agencies reported that "an unidentified flying object dropped two bombs near Moscow."

A defence ministry official told Reuters two rockets had gone astray during a military exercise near Moscow Wednesday afternoon.

One hit the roof of an unoccupied house 3.5km away.

"The damage is estimated at 60,000 rubles ($3252.03). It will be compensated for in two days," said Yevgeny Konashenkov, spokesman for Russian land troops.

"The owner of the house treats the incident with understanding. He has no legal claims."

- REUTERS