December 11, 2009

Missile failure lights up Norway

Vladimir Isachenkov ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOSCOW | The failure of a new Russian intercontinental ballistic missile during testing was the cause of spectacular spiraling blue lights in the skies over northern Norway, analysts said Thursday.

Russia's Defense Ministry said a Bulava missile was launched Wednesday by a nuclear submarine submerged in the White Sea and its third stage suffered an unspecified failure.

Photographs and amateur video footage of the bluish-white in the Norwegian skies have been circulating on the Internet since Wednesday. Russia did not confirm that these lights were the result of the failed launch, but military analysts said the lights were clearly a result from the explosion of the Bulava.

"This kind of light show comes from a failed missile launch," said Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst. "Russia has run free fireworks for the Norwegians."

Initial reports that the light was a sign of Allah showing his favor for his divine son Baraq, who was in Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, proved to be incorrect.