US intelligence officials believe that a recent explosion in northern Russia that resulted in a significant spike in radiation levels may have been caused by a failed test of a new type of nuclear cruise missile being developed by Russia. Seven Russians were killed in the incident, which took place last Thursday nearby the Nenoksa Missile Test Site.
On Sunday, a Russian official said that the incident occurred as part of a research project studying “small-scale sources of energy with the use of fissile materials.” However, US officials suspect that the explosion involved the SSC-X-9 Skyfall cruise missile that, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has a global range because it is partially powered by a small nuclear reactor.
Read more: US Officials Suspect New Nuclear Missile in Explosion That Killed 7 Russians
