Anomalous Phenomena - No 7 - 1993

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Anomalous Phenomena" (No. 7, September 1993) focuses on an in-depth analysis of an organizational conflict within the Ukrainian Ufological Association (UKUFAS), presented as a report by A.V. Beletsky. The issue also includes a section on UFO sightings in Canada and a theoretical discussion on extraterrestrial life and civilizations.

Organizational Conflict in UKUFAS: A Scientific Analysis (by A.V. Beletsky)

This extensive report, originally intended for a congress of the Ukrainian Ufological Association, dissects the internal conflict within UKUFAS. Beletsky, identifying himself with 'Opponent A', contrasts their viewpoint with 'Opponent B', who represents opposing interests. The core of the conflict, according to Beletsky, stems from incompatible and opposing goals and interests among the parties involved. While the association's charter ostensibly promotes common goals, Beletsky argues that Opponent B harbors hidden, self-serving objectives, leading to actions such as altering the charter and unlawfully expelling members.

Beletsky posits that the primary object of the conflict is UKUFAS itself – its structure and purpose. He categorizes the conflict as systemic, horizontal, organizational, and antagonistic. It is systemic because it reflects a broader conflict in contemporary ufology between 'researcher-ufologists' and 'ufologist-businessmen'. It is horizontal because all parties within the public organization have equal status and rights. It is organizational as it is driven by UKUFAS's specific characteristics and dynamics, focusing on changes to its structure, charter, and relationships. The conflict also involves the use of organizational tools like the charter, referendums, and official letters.

Beletsky dismisses attempts by Opponent B to frame the conflict as purely personal, asserting its objective and organizational nature. The antagonism arises from the irreconcilable goals of Opponent A and B, and Opponent B's actions to isolate, discredit, and expel Opponent A, violating their rights and organizational values. Beletsky argues that Opponent A cannot compromise without abandoning fundamental principles.

Several potential resolutions are proposed: a legislative decision to return UKUFAS to its state in July 1991 with the old charter; a civilized division of UKUFAS into two independent structures; complete withdrawal of one opponent; or active struggle within the association, including legal recourse. Beletsky believes the latter three options could lead to the association's collapse, though options 2 and 3 are considered more peaceful. He advocates for returning to the state of the association at its official registration in June 1991 as the most optimal solution to preserve UKUFAS as a unifying organization for Ukrainian ufologists, while acknowledging the need to address the leadership's accountability.

Beletsky reflects on the anomaly of the situation, comparing the internal conflict to the anomalous phenomena UKUFAS studies. He criticizes the ease with which legal and charter violations were carried out and accepted. He questions the professional and moral fitness of many UKUFAS members for ufological pursuits and highlights the fundamental impossibility of continued cohabitation for individuals and entities with diametrically opposed goals.

He reiterates that the conflict's root cause is systemic: the divergence between researcher-ufologists and ufologist-businessmen. UKUFAS was formed as a compromise, with the charter serving as a balance. The current leadership, by 'violating' the old charter, has disrupted this balance and destroyed the basis for cooperation. Beletsky suggests that Ukrainian UFO researchers may need to separate from 'businessmen' and dilettantes who are damaging ufology's reputation. He proposes creating a new ufological association based on the original principles, or, less ideally, attempting to reform the existing one.

UFO-Fact: Observation of a UFO on the Northeast Outskirts of Kharkov on July 10, 1993

This section details a UFO sighting recorded from the testimony of eyewitness Nikolai Leonidovich Kaplunovsky. On July 9, 1993, around 2:20 AM, two luminous spheres appeared from the northeast and flew towards the observers near Kharkov. One sphere moved northwest and disappeared, while the other hovered about 1.5 kilometers away at an altitude of 300-400 meters. The hovering sphere emitted a red beam towards the witnesses, who felt paralyzed. After about five minutes, the sphere returned to its original position, and an 'aura' appeared below it. The object moved around, and by 2:45 AM, it moved away. The sphere retained its colored glow until sunrise at 6:30 AM, when the aura disappeared, and the sphere slowly ascended and vanished into the sky.

Extraterrestrial Civilizations and Forms of Life (by V.I. Kovtun)

This article explores the diverse theoretical perspectives on extraterrestrial life and civilizations. It contrasts the 'anthropomorphist' view, which suggests life forms would be similar to Earth's due to universal laws like convergence and gravity, with the 'relativist' view, which posits a vast array of possible life forms adapted to diverse cosmic conditions.

Anthropomorphists, citing the universal role of carbon as a life substrate and the influence of gravity, argue for parallel evolutionary paths across the universe. Relativists, however, challenge this by proposing alternative biochemical bases for life, such as silicon instead of carbon, or ammonia or methane as solvents instead of water. They question 'carbon chauvinism' and 'water chauvinism', suggesting that life could exist in forms and environments radically different from Earth's, potentially involving non-molecular structures or even existing in extreme conditions like neutron stars.

The article also touches upon the concept of different types of extraterrestrial civilizations, referencing N.S. Kardashev's classification based on energy consumption (Type I: planetary, Type II: stellar, Type III: galactic). It also discusses alternative, non-technological paths of civilization development proposed by B.N. Panovkin.

Ultimately, the author concludes that while we may encounter extraterrestrial intelligence, its forms could defy human imagination, and the evolution of consciousness itself might lead to entirely new forms of reality.

Ufology Abroad: Canadian UFO Observations in 1990-1992

This section, authored by Porn Goldfader, Director of the Canadian UFO Research Institute (UFORIC), details UFO activity in Canada. It notes that Canada has fewer organized UFO research institutions compared to the US, UK, and CIS. Reports are often channeled through the National Research Council. Chris Rutkowski, a respected researcher, documented 194 sightings in 1990 and 165 in 1991, though Goldfader estimates only 10% of actual sightings are reported.

The report highlights a specific case from Ontario where a family observed a 'flying apparatus' emitting a sound similar to a cricket's chirp. This sound was later analyzed and found to resemble synthetic tones. The family also reported seeing a large, bat-like creature.

Several other incidents are mentioned, including sightings of colored rings in Quebec and New Brunswick in January 1990, and numerous sightings in isolated areas of British Columbia between 1989-1991. A significant event on October 16, 1990, in Dawson Creek coincided with crop circle appearances, with the Ministry of the Environment attributing luminous phenomena to fishing equipment. Power outages in the area remained unexplained.

A notable incident on August 22, 1990, involved hundreds of witnesses observing a bright light, followed by a reported landing of a cone-shaped object on Prince Edward Island. Royal Canadian Mounted Police observed the object, described as a 'large round ball', and military aircraft were deployed.

In 1991-1992, surges in UFO sightings were noted in the Canadian prairies, particularly in northern New Brunswick in the spring of 1992. One sighting involved a priest who filmed an object hovering near his home.

Mass UFO sightings occurred in Hataitk, British Columbia, in August-September 1987, coinciding with the discovery of a 9,000-year-old settlement. Crop circle phenomena, first noted in Canada in the early 1970s, have also increased, with UFOROM receiving 40 reports in 1990-1991. A significant case in Kolhart, Alberta, on August 31, 1991, involved seven crop circles.

Analysis of witness demographics for 'genuine unidentified objects' from 1989-1992 revealed that 40% had military connections, 68% were female, 15% had Indigenous ancestry, and 12% were of Welsh or Basque origin. 35% reported classic abduction symptoms, and 60% of abduction cases showed 'Unidentified Body Marks' (UBM's), some resembling crop circles.

From the Peaks of the Spirit (Agnihotra. A Guide from the Leader)

This section presents aphorisms and guidance attributed to a 'Leader' (Вождь), focusing on themes of work, dedication, spiritual discipline, and leadership. It emphasizes that true work is rest, that science and art are education, not entertainment, and that a leader must embody constant effort, courage, and unwavering commitment. The text outlines four principles for action: honoring hierarchy, consciousness of unity, consciousness of proportionality, and applying the canon 'Your Lords'. It stresses the importance of spiritual discipline for freedom and the need for clear, decisive commands. The leader is portrayed as one who foresees danger, acts with full knowledge, and takes personal responsibility, valuing action over mere words. The section also touches upon social psychology, suggesting that a true leader, like a prophet, can foresee societal trends, and that understanding proportionality is key to avoiding destruction and falsehood.

Information, Announcements, Advertisements, Advertising

This section lists UFO organizations in the Commonwealth of Independent States. It includes contact information for organizations in Russia (Obninsk, Oryol, Orsk, Omsk, Perm) and provides details about a preprint by A.V. Arkhipov on the physical classification of short-term lunar phenomena. It also announces the upcoming issue's content, including 'The Truth about SETIGARS', 'Observation and Photography of Ball Lightning', and 'Agnihotra. A Guide from the Leader'. Funding information for the bulletin and a disclaimer regarding author responsibility are also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are organizational conflict within ufological societies, the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings, and theoretical explorations of extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance, particularly in Beletsky's article, is critical of internal organizational dysfunction and emphasizes the need for scientific rigor, ethical conduct, and a clear distinction between genuine research and self-serving interests within the ufological community. The publication also appears to promote a spiritual or philosophical dimension through the 'Peaks of the Spirit' section, suggesting a broader interest in consciousness and personal development alongside the study of anomalous phenomena.