This is the moment an electrical substation explodes in flames after being hit by lightning during a thunderstorm.

The incident took place in the city of Shchyolkovo 12 miles north-east of the Russian capital, Moscow, on Monday, 28th June.

Footage filmed by an onlooker from the window of her apartment shows how a transformer at the substation explodes in flames after being struck by lightning during the storm.

A plume of thick, black smoke can then be seen rising into the sky as further flashes, possibly caused by electrical equipment malfunctioning, are observed at the substation.

It is not yet known if anyone was harmed in the incident, which occurred during adverse weather in and around the Russian capital.

Local residents had received advance warning of strong winds, heavy rain and hail prior to the incident taking place.

Following the explosion at the substation, some local residents reported power outages. It is not known if the supply of electricity to their homes has since resumed.

A gust of wind is also reported to have toppled a construction crane during the storm that hit the Russian capital, again with no reports of any injuries so far

Traffic and train services were also disrupted by the adverse weather, which has not yet subsided, as there is a yellow warning for wind in place in the Russian capital today (29th June).

It was reported that 70 percent of the expected rainfall for the month, which is 75 millimetres (3.0 in), was recorded on Monday alone.