Russia Admits Failed Missile Launch Caused 'UFO' Lights In Norway

Turns out they're not "out there" after all. Those UFO sighting in Norway this morning weren't actually UFOs -- just a Russian missile test gone wrong.

The Russian Defense Ministry admitted today that its Bulava intercontinental missile failed a test launch, following reports of unusual lights in Norway that caused an influx of UFO sightings.

Russia's submarine-based Bulava (Mace), which is designed to carry multiple warheads up to 5,000 miles, failed its 13th test launch, something Alexander Khramchikhin, chief analyst at the Institute of Military and Political Analysis in Moscow, called "a catastrophe."

"Billions of dollars have been flushed down the drain," he reportedly said.

A Defense Ministry spokesman said in a statement that the missile failed in its third stage, which caused an odd swirling light to appear to Norwegian scientists observing the area near the White Sea.

Truls Lynne Hansen, head of Troms Geophysical Observatory in Norway, said that missile launches are commonly observed from Russia, but "normally we see the second stage of the rocket burning then it disappears. This was something very unusual."

Tandberg also commented on the influx of calls claiming a UFO sighting: "I think it was clear to most people that it was not a UFO, as most people define a UFO. Of course everything is a UFO until you know what it is. But most people think about UFOs as aliens and things like that, that was something that came up very early but not later."