UFO mif ili realnost - No 01 - 1990

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Газета-минутка" (Gazeta-minutka), titled "Ау, пришельцы?" (Hello, aliens?), published in Tashkent in 1990 by the United Commercial-Industrial Firm "OSIE" and the Uzbek Republican Branch of the Soviet Cultural Foundation, delves into the phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors. The publication is presented as a "library minute-newspaper" and aims to popularize the subject.

Table of Contents and Introduction

The table of contents lists several articles, including "Hello, aliens?", "Perhaps they are aliens...", "Amidst the clear sky near Konantsevo village", "Aliens walked through the village", and "The abduction of Kati Devis".

The introductory section explains that UFOs, also known as "anomalous phenomena" or "astrolevitating objects", have been a subject of fascination since 1947. The article notes the recent opening of this topic to the press in the Soviet Union, with numerous reports of sightings across the globe. It poses the question of whether these are natural phenomena, imagination, or actual visits from extraterrestrials, acknowledging that a definitive answer remains elusive but that specialists are actively seeking one. The article highlights the division between skeptics and enthusiasts since the first reported disc-shaped craft in the USA in 1947.

Article Summaries

"Hello, Aliens?"

This section appears to be a collection of various accounts and observations. One participant in a speleological expedition describes seeing a pearl-green, glowing sphere in the sky over Turkmenistan in the autumn of 1984. The object grew in size, rose to the zenith, and then vanished. The author recounts other sightings in the Caucasus and Magadan region, and even chasing objects in an airplane. While initially seeking explanations, the author admits to being a pessimist regarding the existence of UFOs, as many sightings were eventually explained by natural phenomena like light refraction, ionospheric glow, or distant car headlights.

"Perhaps they are aliens..."

This article discusses the long history of UFO sightings, referencing a 16th-century chronicle describing celestial phenomena. It notes that "anomalous objects" have been reported worldwide. The 20th century brought new technological means for investigation. In 1928, English scientist D. Llewellyn detected a second "echo" from radio waves, suggesting an object in orbit between Earth and the Moon, possibly for thirteen thousand years. The article also mentions a photograph taken during a promotional flight of a fighter jet by the US Air Force, which clearly showed a disc-shaped object. It references two specific incidents from an exhibition: a crash of an unidentified flying apparatus near Dalnegorsk in Primorsky Krai on January 29, 1988, where melted metallic parts were found, with an alloy unlike any known terrestrial metal; and sightings in Kazakhstan in June 1979, where two tall, humanoid beings approached children in a pioneer camp.

"Amidst the clear sky near Konantsevo village"

This section reports on a TASS message about a "squadron" of UFOs landing in the Vologda Oblast on June 6. Eyewitnesses were local schoolchildren. An expedition group from the USSR Academy of Sciences visited the landing site. A. Listratov, chairman of a section for studying anomalous phenomena, expresses surprise at the widespread media coverage of this event. The article describes an investigation involving schoolchildren who reported seeing four glowing spheres. While details varied, the accounts were consistent. One sphere reportedly touched the ground, rolled down a hill, and then opened up like an orange, revealing a headless, human-like figure. The children's drawings depict a black "alien" with black "legs", a lighter "torso", and a yellow, flickering top.

"The abduction of Kati Devis"

This article, attributed to N. Dombkovsky, discusses "heavenly triangles" observed over Belgium, which were captured on video. The author contacted the Belgian Society for the Study of Cosmic Phenomena (BOIKF) and spoke with its secretary, Lucien Clerbaux. Clerbaux indicated that BOIKF had received numerous reports, letters, surveys, photographs, drawings, and video recordings. He described a case where a large, black triangular object with three spotlights and an orange-red beacon hovered over a town square in Eupen, Belgium, on November 29, 1989. The object had a chain of red and blue lights in its front section. The article includes a diagram of the object seen from below, showing its direction of movement, red and blue lights, a flashing sphere, and a source of white light.

Further details from BOIKF suggest that "triangles" were also seen over Holland and the FRG. Their appearance caused distress to domestic animals, and led to sharp drops in electrical network voltage. A particularly unusual event involved a triangular object descending a garland of red lights towards a car on a rural road near Liege. The lights, each the size of a car headlight, hovered near the car before the triangle moved away. Clerbaux dismisses explanations like collective hallucinations or military tests, suggesting the objects are artificial but likely not human-made, possibly creations of an extraterrestrial civilization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, eyewitness accounts, and the investigation of anomalous phenomena. The magazine presents a generally open stance towards the possibility of extraterrestrial life and advanced alien civilizations, leaning towards the belief that UFOs are real, artificial objects, possibly of non-human origin. While acknowledging that many sightings can be explained naturally, the publication highlights unexplained cases and the ongoing efforts of researchers and organizations to understand these mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and a willingness to explore these controversial topics, encouraging readers to consider the implications of humanity's place in the universe.

This issue of the Russian magazine "Prizyv" (Issue 12, 1989) focuses heavily on reports of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters in rural Russia, particularly in the Vologda and Perm regions. The magazine presents a collection of witness testimonies, ranging from descriptions of humanoid figures and glowing aerial objects to more complex narratives involving potential alien experimentation.

Reports from the Vologda Region

The issue begins with an account from the village near Klyuch, where children described a four-meter-tall figure with a glowing disk-like head and long limbs descending from a sphere. The figure moved with straight, long legs to a transformer pole and then vanished, as did the sphere. A. Listratov, who interviewed the children, noted their sincerity and the detailed nature of their account, despite initial skepticism.

Another incident from the Vologda region involved the deputy director of a school, V. Prudnikov, who experienced his car engine stalling about 30 kilometers from Kharovsk on the night of May 26-27, 1989. He then observed a glowing, mushroom-shaped object with a stem and cap on the roadside.

The article notes that the Vologda region seems to attract UFO activity, with local residents mentioning frequent sightings of 'strange things flying.' Following a publication in the district newspaper, more people came forward with their experiences.

Encounters in the Perm Region

The magazine then shifts to reports from the Perm region, specifically the Chernoushinsky district. A young woman from the village of Andronovo described encountering a tall, black, headless figure with long arms and a small lump instead of a head. The figure moved silently and then disappeared.

Further accounts from the Chernoushinsky district detail sightings of tall, black, headless beings moving through fields. These reports were initially met with skepticism, even by local officials, but investigations by journalists confirmed the consistency of the testimonies.

Other Sightings and Investigations

A beekeeper, G. Sharoglazov, from the Moscow region, reported seeing two oval, egg-shaped, glowing objects hovering about 200-300 meters above the ground. These objects later disappeared and reappeared. He also mentioned that several hours earlier, two other glowing objects had been observed at a much higher altitude.

A milker, L. Medvedeva, described seeing a dark figure moving rapidly towards her from a hill near the village of Chernoushinsky. She initially thought it was a motorcycle but realized it was a silhouette of a being with short legs and long arms, moving silently.

Farm workers also reported seeing tall, black, headless beings. A stoker, V. Chikodanov, and a farm watchman, V. Melchakov, both described encounters with such entities.

The article highlights that over a dozen direct witnesses from various backgrounds and villages have come forward, making a conspiracy theory unlikely. The sightings had occurred over a two-week period and then ceased. Many witnesses were reluctant to speak, fearing ridicule.

The 'VISIT' Group and Human-Alien Hybrids

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the controversial topic of human-alien hybridization, referencing the work of American writer Bud Hopkins. Hopkins investigated cases of alleged alien abductions, including that of Kati Davis, who claimed aliens had taken her daughter.

Hopkins' research suggests that some women may have undergone artificial insemination procedures with extraterrestrial beings, resulting in pregnancies and the subsequent removal of the fetus. The article mentions that the scientific group 'VISIT' is actively investigating such claims, analyzing the scientific and technical validity of the information provided by alleged abductees.

Psychologist D. Kleimer of the 'VISIT' group notes that abductees often exhibit physical and psychological distress, including damaged eyesight, hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, burns, and scars, which they attribute to contact with aliens. The group is exploring the possibility that extraterrestrial civilizations might be conducting genetic experiments on humans on a large scale, potentially to create a hybrid species.

Skepticism and Scientific Inquiry

The article acknowledges the skepticism surrounding these claims, suggesting that the belief in alien involvement might be a modern manifestation of older beliefs in supernatural beings. However, it also poses the question of whether ancient myths could be reinterpreted in light of current UFO phenomena.

The author, G. Bazhutin, reflects on the societal conditioning that discourages curiosity about anomalous phenomena, contrasting it with the current era where UFO topics are more openly discussed. He questions why, despite the unusual events, no one in the local area initially considered reporting them for scientific interest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, encounters with non-human beings, and the potential for alien interference in human affairs, including genetic manipulation. The magazine adopts a stance of presenting these accounts as credible witness testimonies, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for scientific investigation. The editorial tone suggests an openness to exploring these phenomena, challenging the previous societal taboo surrounding them. The emphasis is on the sincerity of the witnesses and the consistency of their accounts, urging readers to consider the possibility of these events being more than mere fantasy.