At least five Ukrainians were killed in a road accident in northwestern Russia on Thursday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The accident happened at about 5:40 a.m. local time (0240 GMT), when a minibus with a Ukrainian licence plate moved to the opposite lane on the road and crashed head-on into a truck.

The truck driver escaped the crash unhurt, while the minibus driver and five passengers on board were killed on the spot.

Five of the victims are Ukrainians and the other one's nationality has not been identified yet, the ministry said.

The Ukrainian Consul in Russia has sent personnel to the scene for investigation.