KEY POINTS
  • A U.S. intelligence report says the mysterious explosion off Russia's northern coast occurred during a recovery mission to salvage the Kremlin's nuclear-powered missile from the ocean floor.
  • The mysterious explosion sparked fears that Russia had tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, also known as Skyfall.
  • CNBC learned last year of similar plans Moscow made to try to recover a nuclear-powered missile lost at sea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Red Square Victory Day Parade, on May 9, 2019 in Moscow, Russia.

WASHINGTON — A U.S. intelligence assessment found that the mysterious explosion off of Russia's northern coast occurred during a recovery mission to salvage a nuclear-powered missile from the ocean floor, according to people with direct knowledge of the report.

The mysterious explosion on Aug. 8 killed five scientists and sparked fears that Russia had tested its new nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, also known as Skyfall.