Confrontation - 1991 11

Magazine Overview

'Ochnaya Stavka' (Close Encounter), issue No. 11, February 1991, is a Russian-language magazine focused on anomalous phenomena, UFOs, and psychic abilities. Published by the "Yugo-Zapad" Association, it presents a collection of articles, interviews, and eyewitness accounts exploring mysteries beyond conventional understanding.

Cover Story: "What Do UFOs Bring Us - Good or Evil?"

The cover prominently features this question, accompanied by portraits of three individuals identified as psychics: Mziya Levashova (Moscow), Vladimir Kutsenko (Nikolaev), and Albert Ignatenko (Nikolaev). The main headline suggests a deep dive into the nature and intentions of UFOs and their potential impact on humanity.

Key Articles and Features:

Mziya Levashova: "I Came from Space to Fight Evil"

Mziya Levashova, described as an "extraterrestrial," shares her cosmic mission to combat evil forces on Earth. She emphasizes the importance of self-purification, cultivating good, and rejecting evil. Levashova claims to be part of a "white hierarchy" from space, working to help humanity overcome its negative tendencies. She speaks of her unusual childhood, her ability to fly, and her role as a healer and prophet, stating that humanity faces destruction if it doesn't change its ways. She also mentions her 'apostles' or 'controllers' from space who guide her and that she has a successor on Earth.

Vladimir Kutsenko: "Every medic, before undertaking healing, must be able to feel one's own and others' bioenergetics..."

Kutsenko, a psychotherapist from Nikolaev, discusses the importance of bioenergetics in medicine. He cautions against charlatans posing as healers and advises trusting doctors. He highlights his cooperative "Avicenna" in Nikolaev, which offers various non-medicinal treatments and has doctors who are also considered psychics.

Albert Ignatenko: "Health largely depends on the energy balance in the body..."

Ignatenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Extraterrestrials, proposes an exercise to regulate the body's energy balance. He describes a technique involving visualization and breathing to channel 'pra-energy' for health and rejuvenation.

Sofievka Incident: "A Continuation of Miracles"

This section details an event in Sofievka, Pervomaisky District, where Vera Kirillovna Gogol witnessed two large, luminous spheres appearing in the night sky. The description includes their color, size, and pulsating nature, likening them to a pre-sunset sun.

UFO Sightings and Anomalous Cases:

• Donald Vais's UFO Collection (USA): The magazine interviews Donald Vais, director of MUFON's Florida branch, who believes Earth is actively visited by extraterrestrials and that governments are aware of this. Several cases are presented:
• Reverend Jil's Encounter (1959): A priest in Papua New Guinea witnessed a large glowing object and three smaller disks, with figures emerging and interacting with him.
• Brazilian Incident (1986): Colonel Osiris Silva reported unidentified objects near Sao Paulo that evaded military interceptors for hours.
• Cash-Landrum Case (1980): A rhomboid object was seen over Texas, emitting a cone of fire that caused radioactive contamination to witnesses.
• Philiberto Cardenas Case (1972): Cardenas's vehicle malfunctioned, and he was reportedly taken aboard a UFO.
• "The "Ghost" of Flight 401": This article details the mysterious events surrounding the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 in 1972. Survivors and crew members reported sightings of deceased crew members, particularly Captain Bob Loft and Flight Engineer Don Repo, on subsequent flights, especially on Flight 318, which reportedly had the salvaged galley from the crashed plane.
• "A Mysterious Cloud": A stewardess on a flight witnessed a glowing object on the wing that seemed to be a cloud but behaved unnaturally, causing the plane to bank.
• "Emily Palmer's Diary": Excerpts from a stewardess's diary detailing numerous sightings of deceased crew members on Eastern Air Lines flights.
• "The "Flying Dutchman" of the Skies": The article concludes that the apparitions were likely friendly spirits of Captain Loft and Engineer Repo, possibly linked to the salvaged galley of the crashed plane.
• "Voices of Spirits by Order": A section advertises a meditation phonogram from the Zaporozhye "RING" center, promising to enhance psychic abilities and unlock chakras.

"Nuclear Attack Before Our Era - Demons are Aliens"

This section discusses ancient Sanskrit texts that allegedly describe alien spacecraft ('Vimanas') and advanced weaponry, suggesting a possible extraterrestrial origin for ancient destructive events.

"Thinking Dinosaur" (Misliashchiy Dinoravr)

Reports on the discovery of remains of a highly developed dinosaur race that used stone tools, existing millions of years before humans. The civilization is believed to have died out due to a drastic temperature drop on Earth.

"Hedgehog in a Fog"

An article from "Megapolis-Express" reports on an experiment in Sochi by the "Delta-Inform" center involving the teletransportation of objects. Four hedgehogs were reportedly dematerialized in Sochi and rematerialized in Rostov-on-Don three hours earlier than the experiment began. The article discusses the potential applications and ethical concerns of such technology.

"Tanya Cries Bitterly"

An article from the American weekly "Sun" claims that 11 women from Eastern Europe gave birth to 'monster children' after encounters with aliens. The case of a 15-year-old Bulgarian girl named Tanya is highlighted, who allegedly conceived a child with an alien. The article suggests these 'alien children' were taken to a Soviet military hospital for research.

"Bomber in a Lunar Crater"

This piece discusses a photograph published by the Canadian weekly "Weekly World News," allegedly showing an American World War II bomber in a lunar crater, claimed to be taken by a Soviet satellite. The magazine presents the story of Soviet pilot Petr Gurenkov, who believes aliens abducted the plane. However, the article includes a skeptical commentary from Soviet scientists who question the authenticity of the photo and its origin.

"Ghosts on Board an Airliner"

This section revisits the Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crash and the subsequent paranormal events, including sightings of deceased crew members. It also mentions a case involving a stewardess who saw an unregistered passenger, later identified as the deceased Captain Bob Loft.

"UFO Chooses a Village" (Continuation)

This article continues the story from page 1, detailing further sightings of unusual aerial phenomena in Sofievka. Residents observed a yellow sphere that transformed into a rectangle, and later a glass-like object. The sightings were also witnessed by children and a tractor driver, who reported seeing a small, one-eyed being in a 'ball'.

"Recipe for a Sorcerer"

A historical piece describes a recipe for a sorcerer's potion involving a black cat, found in an old Ukrainian book.

"Association 'Yugo-Zapad' Offers Services"

This section lists services offered by the "Yugo-Zapad" Association, including technical maintenance for computer classes, supply of computer and office equipment, and training for drivers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, presenting a wide range of phenomena from UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters to psychic abilities and paranormal events. While some articles present skeptical analyses or scientific counter-arguments (e.g., the lunar bomber photo), the overall tone leans towards exploring and reporting on these mysteries, often giving credence to eyewitness accounts and anecdotal evidence. The magazine seems to cater to an audience interested in the fringes of science and the supernatural, reflecting a growing interest in such topics in post-Soviet Russia during the early 1990s.

There is a clear fascination with the idea of extraterrestrial influence, psychic powers, and the potential for hidden realities and forces influencing human life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives without necessarily endorsing all claims as factual, but certainly giving them a platform.