A Russian Proton-M rocket blasts off from a Kazakhstan base on Tuesday.

All seems to be going well, until the rocket suddenly takes a nose dive.

Shortly after, it begins to break apart and then explodes in a fiery blaze before crashing to the ground near the launch pad.

The Interfax news agency reported that personnel inside bunkers nearby survived.

The rocket was carrying three satellites worth about $200 million dollars, for Russia's troubled Glonass satellite navigation system.

The country's space programme has suffered several setbacks in recent years, including botched satellite launches.