UFO Navigator - No 001 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO НАВИГАТОР (UFO Navigator)
Issue: 1 (0001)
Date: October 2000
Type: Russian Ufological Digest

This issue of "UFO Navigator" presents itself as Russia's premier weekly review of current Russian and international ufological news. It promises exclusive insights into what researchers are discussing, the latest sensations, discoveries, and debunkings. The publication aims to provide facts from ufological archives, translations, and unique illustrations, alongside an expanding illustrated ufological dictionary. It also offers critical reviews of new books, newspapers, and magazines to help readers discern "newspaper ducks" from credible information, thereby saving time and money. The editorial stance emphasizes honesty, calling things as they are, even if it's unpopular.

Editorial Message and Contact

The editor, Mikhail Gershtein, is described as one of Russia's leading ufologists with extensive experience, having authored numerous articles for magazines like "UFO" and "Chudesa i Priklyucheniya." Readers are encouraged to send their opinions, suggestions, news, observations, and clippings via email or postal mail to Mikhail Gershtein in St. Petersburg.

Main Topics of the Issue

• The issue highlights several key themes:
• Sensational admissions in the journal "Vestnik Rossiyskoy Akademii Nauk" (Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences).
• The crash of a UFO near uranium mines in Pakistan.
• Mysterious "crop circles" in Canada and Russia.
• The connection between American intelligence and UFOs, referencing a report by Milton Cooper and the concept of a "secret government."
• An entry in the ufological glossary: "Who are you, Mr. Adamski?"

News Section

• The news section covers:
• Secret UFO research in the Soviet Union.
• Recent UFO sightings in the USA, England, and Turkey.
• UFO sightings over Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• The UFO crash near the uranium mines of Baghalhor, Pakistan.
• Mysterious "crop circles" in Canada and Russia.
• New astronomical discoveries.
• The case of the "chupacabra": animal or UFO bio-robot?
• The fall of "angel hair" in West Virginia.
• Light phenomena in Pennsylvania.

Secret UFO Research in the Soviet Union

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a recent article in the journal "Vestnik Rossiyskoy Akademii Nauk" (2000, Vol. 70, No. 6, pp. 507-515) by Yuliy Platov and Boris Sokolov, titled "The Study of Unidentified Flying Objects in the USSR." Platov, a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, served as deputy chairman of the Academy of Sciences' expert group on anomalous phenomena from 1978 to 1996. Sokolov, a colonel, was the coordinator of anomalous phenomena research at the Ministry of Defense and the USSR Academy of Sciences from 1978 to 1989. The article, despite its limited circulation, acknowledges three main facts: 1) secret UFO research was conducted in the USSR; 2) researchers encountered truly unidentified objects they could not explain; and 3) UFOs may be involved in aircraft disasters.

The authors of the "Vestnik RAN" article, Platov and Sokolov, are quoted as stating that "ufology" as a field didn't truly exist until they became involved, mentioning only "lectures by domestic ufologists." They note that publications about unusual lights and phenomena in various regions of the country gradually accumulated. The Department of General Physics and Astronomy of the USSR Academy of Sciences assigned staff to register, consult specialists, and respond to letters concerning these phenomena. This initial approach was deemed primitive, leading to the formation of a working group involving scientists from various disciplines, the Academy of Sciences, universities, the State Committee for Hydrometeorology, and the Ministry of Defense. The formal trigger for this group's creation was the "Petrozavodsk phenomenon."

Platov and Sokolov suggest the Petrozavodsk phenomenon was the launch of the "Cosmos-955" satellite, coinciding with a failed ballistic missile launch. In 1978, a state program for studying anomalous atmospheric and cosmic phenomena was initiated, focusing on their causes and impact on military equipment and personnel. Two programs emerged: "Setka MO" (Ministry of Defense) and "Setka AN" (Academy of Sciences). This state program ran for 13 years, from 1978 to 1990. The research was kept secret to minimize public reaction, due to its inclusion in classified defense plans, the potential for military applications of observed phenomena (like lack of radar contrast and high maneuverability), and the possibility of their military-technical origin.

Publications on UFOs were limited, with articles recommended for review (not censorship) by the USSR Academy of Sciences. The magazine claims that Platov and Sokolov actively suppressed any publications hinting at extraterrestrial origins for UFOs.

The article by Platov and Sokolov states that two centers for UFO research were established: one in the Ministry of Defense and another in the Academy of Sciences. The Ministry of Defense focused on analyzing observation results from various military branches, while the Academy of Sciences collected data from scientific organizations, meteorological services, and media. The military's primary goal was to understand UFOs' influence on equipment and personnel, whereas the Academy of Sciences aimed to study the physical nature of anomalous phenomena. The authors acknowledge that the hypothesis of UFOs being "manifestations of extraterrestrial civilizations" was considered but did not generate particular enthusiasm, though it was not entirely dismissed.

Directives and Data Collection

Platov and Sokolov reportedly admit, for the first time in print, the existence of methodological guidelines for UFO observations distributed to all military units, marked "Secret" and later "For Official Use Only" (DSP). This directive effectively mobilized the entire Soviet Army as a potential observation network for anomalous phenomena across approximately one-sixth of the Earth's landmass for 13 years. Similar data collection efforts were organized within institutions linked to the Academy of Sciences, particularly at Gidromet stations. Over 13 years, about 3,000 reports of unusual phenomena were collected.

Most observations were attributed to poorly identified satellite launches, ballistic missile launches, and weather balloons. However, some cases remained unexplained. Reports of these cases were submitted to higher military command through urgent reporting procedures. Among these were several aircraft accidents near airfields in Borisoglebsk (Voronezh Oblast) between 1984 and 1987. These accidents were sometimes associated with the presence of an unknown object detected by radar and visually observed by pilots. The head of the Borisoglebsk Military Flight School requested specialists familiar with UFOs to join accident investigation commissions. The article notes that while the role of these mysterious objects in the accidents remains unclear, these events are considered "unidentified."

Information about these incidents had previously leaked to ufologists. E. A. Ermilov, a participant in the "Setka-AN" program, reportedly informed A. I. Mordvin-Shchodro and G. K. Kolchin about the mysterious Borisoglebsk accidents. Kolchin's book "The UFO Phenomenon: A View from Russia" (2nd edition, 1997) describes two MiG-21 crashes near Borisoglebsk, where unknown objects were detected by radar. In one instance in April 1984, a MiG-21 crew reported an unknown object on their radar, followed by a jolt, engine failure, and ejection. In May 1985, during the loss of contact with another MiG-21 that subsequently crashed, an unknown object was observed near the aircraft. During the search for the wreckage, a search party discovered a 3.5-meter-tall humanoid figure in silver clothing in the forest, followed by the takeoff of an unknown glowing object.

Despite this evidence, Platov and Sokolov's article states that, in contrast to numerous reports of alien contact, the project did not record a single report of UFO landings or contacts with UFO pilots. They speculate that either the USSR was closed to alien visitors for 13 years or the hypothesis of extraterrestrial UFOs is unfounded. The magazine's authors ponder the reasons behind these statements, suggesting that perhaps Platov and Sokolov will reveal the full truth years later.

UFO Sightings Around the World

Three UFOs over San Francisco, USA

On September 17, 2000, James W. from San Francisco observed three UFOs in the sky. He described them as significantly higher than civilian aircraft, possibly at an altitude of 8000 feet (2400 m). They were arranged in a line and were much higher than a Boeing 747 that later appeared.

"Triangles" over Kansas, USA

On September 18, 2000, D. A. from Prairie Village, Kansas, observed two bright white UFOs flying one after another from southwest to northeast. They had a triangular shape, moved quickly, and were silent. He contacted local television, but they were reportedly not interested.

"Mysterious Lights" over Marlow, England

On September 10, 2000, 74-year-old Leslie Thomas in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, saw a "circle of white lights" that he initially mistook for fireworks. The lights moved slowly northeast and disappeared from view. He described them as silent.

Black "Saucer" over Corum, Turkey

On the same day, September 10, 2000, Salih U. and his friends in Corum observed a large black disc-shaped object flying north. It was described as moving rapidly and was visible for about 30 seconds. Other witnesses added that the "saucer" had no lights and was approximately 75-100 meters in diameter.

UFO Sightings over Pakistan and Afghanistan

Unidentified flying objects were observed over India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan starting on August 15, 2000. Thousands of residents in the Pakistani province of Balochistan reported seeing seven UFOs flying in a tight formation, emitting fiery tails but moving silently. Reports came from six administrative districts of Balochistan. The "People's Newspaper" in Quetta reported the UFO visit as "unexplained." The government conducted searches but found nothing. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Balochistan stated that helicopters found nothing. It was later suggested that the objects might have been American missiles launched from aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, targeting Osama bin Laden's bases in Afghanistan. However, this was denied. Government representatives in the district of Loralai reported seeing three more UFOs simultaneously. Shoaib Mir-Memon suggested they might be meteors. Rumors circulated about American missiles, but the government could not explain what was seen. The website "Business Recorder" urged the government to explain the sightings to avoid accusations of incompetence.

UFO Crash near Uranium Mines in Baghalhor, Pakistan

On August 29, 2000, the DPA reported that an unidentified flying object (UFO) was observed over Pakistan in the border region of Dera Ghazi Khan on Sunday night (August 27). This was the second report from this uranium-rich area in two weeks. The UFO reportedly flew over Fort Munro and Rakhigunj before crashing between Baghalhor and Rakhigunj. Military police sources described it as "plunging nose-first" and illuminating the sky. Islamabad authorities denied it was a missile test, suggesting it might be meteorites. The area is known for uranium mining and is restricted. The newspaper "Ra'shet" reported UFO sightings near the Air Force base in Rajanpur on August 15, the same day six flame-emitting objects in formation crossed Western Balochistan. The "Times of India" and "The Hindu" reported on the incident. The Pakistani military denied rumors that it was a test of the "Ghauri-III" missile, but confirmed something had fallen near Baghalhor, suggesting it might be "comet debris." No consequences were reported as the object fell in a desert area. Baghalhor is a restricted zone due to its uranium mines, and the surrounding areas are sparsely populated.

"Crop Circles" in Canada and Russia

Canada has experienced an "epidemic" of crop circles, likely caused by UFOs. On August 12, the "Ottawa Citizen" published a diagram of three circles found near Oro-Medonte. On August 24, farmer Ellis Randy found a 22-foot diameter circle in Hazlet, Saskatchewan, described as "very perfect" with no visible paths leading to it. His wife reported a strange sensation upon entering the circle. On September 6, researcher Dennis Eklund found a large circle with a ring around it in Saskatoon. The next day, a "drawing" of alternating circles and straight lines was observed in a nearby field. The field was quickly harvested, but photos and sketches remain. On September 12, a farmer in a remote area south of Viscount, Saskatchewan, discovered two large circles, 40 and 43 feet in diameter, located 30 meters apart. The plants were pressed to the ground but not damaged. No paths led to these circles either. The website "geocities.com/cpr-canada" indicates that the second node on each stem within the circles experienced some physical effect, as if exploding from within. Compasses within these circles malfunctioned. Ufologists link these events to UFO sightings in Canada. On September 11, around midnight, a witness observed a large yellow-amber "circle" with two red lights hovering for a minute, not rotating. The UFO flew north and disappeared behind trees. The article also reminds readers of similar crop circles and "drawings" found in Stavropol, Tim (Kursk Oblast), and Belarus (Vitebsk Oblast).

In Stavropol, crop circles appeared on a farm near Novoalexandrovsk. On the night of June 12-13, witnesses saw a "shining object the size of a five-story building" descending. A local police officer described it as an "fiery thing" with an "inversion trail" from its two side points. The next morning, a complex figure was found in the wheat field, including a 20-meter diameter circle with surrounding circles and three radiating beams. A 30-centimeter deep pit with smooth walls was found in the center of the largest circle, and mobile phones near it malfunctioned. Vasily Belchenko, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Stavropol Territory, stated that the object was not man-made. Workers at a oil depot observed a UFO flying over Novoalexandrovsk and landing in a field near the city pond on the night of June 16. They reported widespread UFO sightings in the area from June 9 to 23.

"Angel Hair" Fall in West Virginia

"Angel hair" is described as a spiderweb-like, slightly radioactive, gelatinous substance that often falls after UFO flybys. Professor Danilo Gozzi analyzed the substance in 1954, describing it as fibrous with significant resistance to stretching and twisting. Upon heating, it darkens and volatilizes, leaving a transparent residue containing boron, silicon, calcium, and magnesium, suggesting it might be a form of borosilicate glass. Ufologists theorize it could be excess "materialized energy" from UFOs returning to their dimension. English ufologist Brinsley Le-Poer Trench suggested it might be ectoplasm from séances. A housewife named Rusty from West Virginia reported this substance falling on her farm near Romney on September 19. She heard a loud humming sound and saw nothing. The next morning, her yard was covered in a web-like substance. She took photos and collected samples. Her husband reported seeing similar patches elsewhere. The article notes that Rusty has her own website where she posted photos. The author points out that the absence of UFO sightings does not negate the phenomenon, citing historical reports of similar substance falls in Montgomery, USA, and near Oamaru, New Zealand.

New Astronomical Discoveries

An article in the October issue of "Popular Mechanics" titled "The Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of Science" suggests that recent astronomical discoveries increase the chances of not being alone in the universe. The discovery of glycolaldehyde in an interstellar cloud, a precursor to life, suggests that the chemical building blocks for life appear long before planets form. Paul LaViolette presented data at an American Astronomical Society meeting suggesting that pulsar emissions are not random but intelligent "messages," and their arrangement in space might be like "cosmic beacons." Professor Raymond Chu from UC Berkeley reportedly achieved speeds 1.7 times the speed of light in experiments. Researchers at NEC in Princeton observed photons exceeding the speed of light by 300 times, potentially violating the principle of causality. These findings were reported in the journal "Tekhnika-Molodezhi" (2000, No. 7, p. 18).

The Case of the Mysterious "Chupacabra": Animal or UFO Bio-robot?

On September 1, a news report from Nicaragua showed a semi-decomposed carcass of a chupacabra, a creature blamed for draining blood from animals and attacking people. Zoologists were unable to identify it. The commentator suggested it might be a mutation or a genetic experiment. The carcass was sent to the National University. The report was too short to be recorded, but the magazine promises more details and photos in a future issue. Ufologists link chupacabras to UFOs, as they appear in areas with frequent UFO sightings.

Light Phenomena in Pennsylvania

The newspaper "Of The Morning Call" reported a bright flash in the sky near Lenaig-Valley, Pennsylvania, on September 11 at 3:30 AM. Reports of "something unusual in the sky" came from Northampton and Lancaster counties. The official representative of the Amateur Astronomical Society suggested it was likely a meteorite or space debris. Ray Hannis, secretary of the society, stated that witnesses described it as a meteor or space debris moving from north to south. A police officer described the object as huge and glowing like an arc weld. The report lacked details to confirm its nature.

Reports from the Field

This section features reports from the former Soviet Union that arrived by mail or were published in local newspapers.

UFO Sightings in August and September near Barnaul

On August 19, 2000, two large, yellow-glowing "spheres" hovered over Barnaul at an altitude of about 3 km. They were spaced 3.5-4 diameters apart. One sphere emitted five flashes and disappeared, followed by the second sphere. On August 28, a bright white object, leaving a faint trail, moved from northeast to southwest and disappeared after 7 seconds. It had a triangular shape with rounded corners. Later that evening, a teardrop-shaped object moved southwest, its body yellow with a faint greenish-blue glow at the edges. On September 2, a yellow "spot" moved from southeast to northwest for 10 seconds, turning into a red dot. Another similar object flew from northwest to southeast. On September 6, a glowing dot performed zigzag movements for 20 seconds, then disappeared and reappeared. This happened three times before the object descended and was lost from view. On September 21, two yellow lights converged, one descending and the other moving horizontally. They then moved away rapidly. These observations were reported by Elena Metelina from Barnaul.

Cylinder over Ufa

On March 4, residents of Ufa observed a UFO over the city. According to Ramil Umetbaev, an employee of "Bashinform" agency, the glowing object moved slowly from the east, sometimes stopping and directing beams of light towards the ground. It appeared to have a cylindrical shape. It moved in zigzags before disappearing to the west. A similar phenomenon was observed on March 25, 2000.

Glowing Sphere over Asbest

On April 7, 2000, the Yekaterinburg telegraph reported that an unidentified flying object in the form of a glowing sphere appeared over Asbest around 3 AM. The phenomenon was observed by workers at the career of the central mining administration of AO "Uralasbest," station workers, emergency services, and local police. The object, described as an "icy" glowing sphere, hovered low over the city, then took on an elongated shape and flew southeast. Many witnesses linked this event to the Annunciation holiday. Workers at the Asbest station apparently considered it a bad omen and refused to work until the object disappeared. The article recalls a catastrophic explosion at a local chemical plant in 1990 that produced the explosive emulsion "Poremit," after which a UFO appeared over the ruins, leading to a generally negative attitude towards "saucers" in the area.

Our Calendar (On this day ... years ago)

• October 7, 1946, Norway: A glowing cylinder was observed over the city of Ez.
• October 2-3, 1970: Interceptor aircraft pursued a UFO over Pitsunda. A telegram was sent to the USSR Academy of Sciences regarding a UFO sighting in Karelia.
• October 1, 1983: A sparkling "sphere" was observed near Nizhny Tagil.

54 Years Ago: October 7, 1946, Ez, Norway

Guards on duty at Bjornebekk Karsted observed a luminous cylindrical object flying at an altitude of about one kilometer. It moved slightly faster than an airplane, with flames emanating from its tail. The head of the object was conical and slightly luminous. The UFO was visible for a minute before descending vertically and disappearing. No explosion or impact was heard. (Source: VERT LAND newspaper, October 8, 1946).

30 Years Ago: October 2-3, 1970, Pitsunda, Black Sea Coast

Over the Black Sea coast, two kilometers east of Pitsunda, a brightly shining object, reflecting sunlight, was observed moving over the sea at a constant altitude and a speed of 3 to 7 km/h. The object would sometimes hover motionless before continuing its movement along a straight path. The speed varied, and the stops were irregular. After about an hour, a squadron of well-armed fighter jets appeared. The jets did not attack the object, which ignored them. The pilots' behavior suggested they were conducting research, possibly under specific instructions regarding UFOs. The "investigation" lasted about an hour. The object was lenticular in shape with pointed lower and upper sides, moving parallel to the ground with its axis of rotation forward. Its diameter was 15-18 meters. When stopped, it would rotate 90 degrees, becoming perpendicular to the ground, and hover for 3 to 15 minutes. The object then disappeared behind hills with the escorting fighter jets. The observation altitude was approximately 5 km. (Testimony from architect Leonid Volchek, Moscow).

23 Years Ago: October 5, 1977, Petrozavodsk

A telegram from Petrozavodsk to the representative of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Makarov, reported that on September 26, 1977, at approximately 4:50 AM, a technician named Rigina M. saw an unusual object above houses about 800 meters away. The object was described as bright red, like fire, in the shape of an elongated egg, with clear outlines against a gray-blue sky. As she approached the school, the object appeared to recede. It did not blink but shone brightly, illuminating the surroundings. Rigina initially thought it was a fire due to its brightness. The object then moved over a peninsula with houses and disappeared behind the island. It was estimated to have descended about 7-8 km from Sennaia Gubba, in the direction of Lelíkovo village. The witnesses had never seen anything like it, and there were no sounds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "UFO Navigator" strongly emphasizes the ongoing, often secret, investigation of UFO phenomena by governmental and scientific bodies, particularly within the former Soviet Union. The publication highlights the shift from outright denial to a grudging acknowledgment of unidentified aerial phenomena by official sources, as evidenced by the "Vestnik RAN" article. The magazine consistently presents UFOs as a serious subject, linking them to potential crashes, unexplained events, and even extraterrestrial origins, despite official attempts to downplay or explain them away as natural phenomena or misidentifications. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, seeking to uncover hidden truths and challenge conventional explanations, while maintaining a commitment to factual reporting, even when it contradicts official narratives. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery of UFOs and humanity's ongoing struggle to comprehend them.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Volume 1, Issue 1, September 1977) delves into the complex world of UFO phenomena, focusing on alleged government disinformation campaigns, cover-ups, and the origins of certain widely circulated UFO narratives. The magazine aims to dissect these claims, separating fact from fiction and exposing potential manipulation within the ufological community.

Key Articles and Investigations

Witness Testimonies

The issue begins with two witness accounts. The first, from September 27, 1977, details an observation by school director L. I. Prokopenko and others near Sennaya Guba, Russia. They described a bright, fiery, elongated object that appeared to 'sit down' behind a peninsula and then completely disappear. The object was not perceived as the moon, but as an fiery, elongated entity. The second account, from October 1, 1983, by A. I. Borodin from Nizhny Tagil, Russia, describes seeing a fiery red ball with sparks flying from it, hovering at an altitude of 50-70 meters and moving slowly from south to north before disappearing behind a hill.

The Milton Cooper Report and Disinformation

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to investigating the report by William Milton Cooper, "Majesty-12" (MJ-12), and its alleged origins in disinformation. The author expresses a long-standing familiarity with Cooper's work but notes that it has been presented in various publications, leading to a realization that it might be based on deliberate misinformation. The article promises to reveal details about the history behind this report for the first time in Russian.

#### The Robert Emenegger Connection

The investigation traces back to a book by Robert Emenegger, "UFO's Past, Present & Future" (1974). Emenegger, a businessman and film producer from Hollywood, claimed his book was based on facts and documents from the archives of the US government, including the CIA and the Department of Defense. He expressed gratitude to NASA and the Department of Defense for their assistance. Emenegger reportedly met with former leaders of 'Project Blue Book' and its scientific consultant, J. Allen Hynek. The article questions why Emenegger, a businessman, would be privy to such sensitive information, suggesting a possible connection to intelligence agencies.

#### The Holloman Air Force Base Film

In 1972, Emenegger and Allan Sandler were approached by the Department of Defense to create films about new research projects. They were shown a 16mm film allegedly shot in May 1971 at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The film reportedly depicted three disc-shaped craft, one landing, and three human-like beings emerging. Paul Shartle, head of audiovisual programs at Norton Air Force Base, confirmed seeing this film. Emenegger was even taken to the alleged landing site. However, the military ultimately refused to release the film, citing the Watergate scandal. They allowed Emenegger to use the footage in his documentary, but only if the landing was presented as hypothetical.

#### The 'Majesty-12' Document's Origins

The article posits that the 'Majesty-12' document, which first appeared in a 'teleprinter message' from the USAF's Special Investigations Division (USIVVS) on November 17, 1980, was a fabrication. This message, allegedly sent from USIVVS headquarters in Washington to the Kirtland Air Force Base detachment, mentioned 'Project Aquarius' and 'limited access to MJ-12'. The author claims this was a deliberate piece of disinformation created in connection with the Bennewitz case, with agent Richard Doty being the primary source. Doty allegedly provided Mур with a copy of the message, which had been altered from what Mур had initially seen.

The Bennewitz Affair

Paul Bennewitz, a businessman from Albuquerque, claimed to regularly observe UFOs near the Manzano nuclear storage facility and the Kirtland Air Force Base. He also asserted he could intercept and decipher signals sent by aliens to abducted individuals. Ufologists Jim and Coral Lorenzen of APRO initially dismissed his claims. However, the article suggests that intelligence agencies, possibly through agent Richard Doty, sought to feed Bennewitz disinformation. Bennewitz became increasingly paranoid, influenced by his interactions with individuals like Linda Moulton Howe and psychotherapist Leo Sprinkle. He eventually became convinced of a sinister conspiracy between the US government and aliens, leading to his hospitalization.

Disinformation Campaigns and Key Figures

The magazine highlights the role of Richard Doty, an agent allegedly involved in spreading disinformation. Doty is implicated in feeding false information to Bennewitz and the Lorenzens, as well as providing fabricated documents and stories to ufologists like William Moore. The article details how Doty allegedly created a fake 'teleprinter message' and a document purportedly from Ellsworth Air Force Base, which contained numerous errors and falsehoods. The intention was to mislead ufologists and potentially discredit genuine UFO research.

The "Document for Eisenhower"

In December 1984, Jaime Shandera received a film roll with a "document for Eisenhower," which the author identifies as another famous forgery likely orchestrated by Doty. This document, which has been widely published in Russian ufological literature, mentions two UFO crashes near Roswell in 1947 and near El Indio, Guerrero, in 1950, and again refers to MJ-12. The article dismisses the second crash as a fabrication by Doty, citing a ufologist's investigation that found no evidence of such an event.

"Sokol" and "Condor"

In March 1989, ufologist Robert Hastings identified "identified" "Sokol" (Falcon) as Richard Doty and "Condor" as Captain Robert Collins, a colleague of Doty's at Kirtland Air Force Base. These pseudonyms were used in a televised broadcast where they recounted sensational stories that were later incorporated into Cooper's report. The author suggests that Doty was not acting alone and that higher-ranking individuals in the Air Force and CIA were likely involved.

William Milton Cooper's "Majesty-12"

William Milton Cooper's report, "Majesty-12: Its Origin, Identity, and Purpose," published on May 23, 1989, is presented as a compilation of these various disinformation elements, including the stories of "Sokol" and "Condor," the Bennewitz affair, and general "flying saucer folklore." Cooper's claims, such as serving in the Navy and witnessing UFOs and alien encounters, are presented as highly questionable and fantastical.

Other Concepts Explored

The issue also includes a glossary of ufological terms and concepts:

• Abductions: Defined as the same as kidnappings.
• Absurdity: Characterized as a common feature in close contact reports with UFOs and 'enonauts,' where 'aliens' make nonsensical statements or ask naive questions, often leading to confusion or a shift in the witness's belief system.
• Aviano (Aviano) sighting: A famous case where a UFO sighting was accompanied by a power outage at a NATO base in Italy.
• Avinsky, Vladimir: A Russian ufologist and specialist in paleocontacts.
• AVRO (AVRO) diskoplan: Refers to the experimental disc-shaped aircraft developed by the Canadian corporation A. V. Roe Ltd. for the US Pentagon in the 1950s.
• Autokinesis: An optical illusion where a stationary light source appears to move.
• Automatic Writing: A method used by mediums to receive messages from 'otherworldly' entities, where the hand moves involuntarily to write.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy, disinformation, alleged cover-ups of UFO phenomena, and the manipulation of public perception through fabricated evidence and narratives. The editorial stance appears to be critical of unsubstantiated claims and aims to expose the methods used to spread misinformation within the UFO community. The magazine emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and rigorous investigation when examining UFO reports and claims.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: No. 21, 2000
Publisher: UFO Navigator
Country: Russia
Language: Russian

George Adamski: The Hoaxer and His Legacy

The issue delves deeply into the controversial figure of George Adamski, who gained international fame in the 1950s with his claims of contact with extraterrestrials, particularly from Venus. The article details his first alleged encounter on November 20, 1952, in the California desert with a Venusian named Orton, who communicated telepathically and through gestures. Adamski's book, "Flying Saucers Have Landed" (co-authored with Desmond Leslie), published in 1953, propelled him to stardom. The text describes Orton's appearance and Adamski's conversation with him, during which Orton expressed concern about Earth's "radiations" and mentioned that visitors from other planets in the Solar System, as well as from distant stars, also traveled to Earth, with some experiencing crashes.

Adamski's account was bolstered by six friends who allegedly witnessed the encounter from a distance. He also noted footprints left by Orton, which had symbolic patterns on the soles, leading to plaster casts being made. A significant event mentioned is the alleged dropping of a photoplate by a 'saucer' on December 13, 1952, bearing a "message" with large swastikas. The article notes Adamski's alleged acquaintance with William Pell, leader of American fascists, and Williamson's membership in Pell's group, hinting at potential ideological connections.

Adamski's subsequent claims became even more fantastical, including a flight aboard a saucer with contacts named Fircon (Martian) and Rama (Saturnian), and alleged sightings of lunar cities and rivers, and Venusian landscapes. His fame led to lectures worldwide and audiences with Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Pope John XXIII. However, the Soviet space probe's photographs of the Moon's far side, showing no cities or rivers, led Adamski to claim the images were doctored by the Russians. His third book, "Flying Saucers Farewell" (1961), reportedly offered no new information.

The article reveals that shortly before his death on April 23, 1965, Adamski confessed to having written a science fiction novel in 1949 that was unsuccessful. He then reworked it into a "documentary" style, adding fake photographs and involving his friends. Despite this confession and the lack of evidence from space probes, many still believe Adamski's stories. Alice K. Wells, one of the alleged witnesses to the 1952 encounter, founded the "George Adamski Foundation," which continues to operate.

Analysis of Adamski's "Saucers"

The magazine critically examines the physical characteristics of Adamski's alleged UFOs, often referred to as "scout ships." The description includes a low cylindrical cabin topped with a dome, featuring an antenna or ring, and a bell-shaped lower section ending in a smooth cut. Three semi-spherical protrusions are noted on the underside, arranged in a triangle.

Expert analysis of Adamski's photographs concluded they depicted small models suspended by fishing lines. Various theories suggest the models were made from vacuum sterilizer lids, street lamps, incubator tops, or even spirit cooler devices. A film shot by Adamski and Madeleine Rodeffer in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 1965, though short, was analyzed by aviation engineer Leonard Crump and optical physicist William Sherwood, who initially deemed it authentic. However, other experts, like Dr. Paul Lowman of NASA, were convinced it was a fake, estimating the object to be only 2-3 feet in diameter. Rodeffer claimed the film was tampered with, a defense that the article suggests mirrors the alleged manipulation of his photographs.

The article notes that reports of similar "saucer" sightings continue globally, raising suspicions that many of these might also be fabrications.

Review of Ufological Periodicals (2000)

The magazine provides a critical review of several Russian ufological publications from 2000, using a rating system from [+] (to be thrown away) to [+++++] (highly recommended).

• "Anomalnye Novosti" (SPb), 2000, No. 21: Rated [++]. The review criticizes the limited UFO content (one to two articles per issue) and highlights an article by Yuri Gavryuchenkov, "UFO: A Secret Invasion," as a collection of unsubstantiated gossip, likening it to Milton Cooper's style. The article's claim that Soviet press did not cover UFOs is contrasted with actual Soviet publications. The review also points out that an article on the Petrozavodsk phenomenon in "NLO v SSSR" was plagiarized from "Nauka i zhizn" magazine and that the original conclusions, which suggested the phenomenon was not a UFO, were omitted.

• "Anomaliya" (SPb), 2000, No. 18: Rated [++].

• "NLO" (SPb), 2000, No. 39: Rated [++++]. The magazine acknowledges that this issue has more UFO content but criticizes the quality, with good articles alongside questionable ones. The "NLO v SSSR" section is singled out for alleged plagiarism from "Nauka i zhizn" magazine (1989, No. 8), with the original authors' conclusions about non-UFO explanations being removed.

• "NLO" (SPb), 2000, No. 40: Rated [+++]. This issue is described as having chronic problems with quality, featuring good articles mixed with "ducks" (hoaxes). The review mentions articles about "Bernard-1 star approaching the Sun," "angels from Salyut-7," "Admiral Byrd's sensational discoveries" of a green Earth and dinosaurs at the poles, and the debunked claim that Americans did not land on the Moon. An article by V. Sanarov, "UFO and Russian Folklore," is noted as a reprint from a 1979 magazine.

• "Perokrestok Kentavra" (Rostov-on-Don), 2000, No. 7: Rated [++++]. The magazine is improving, with a notable publication of "Methodological Guidelines" for UFO observations in the Soviet Army. The review praises articles by G. Belimov and A. Rempel, as well as translated articles. However, it criticizes the lack of a good ufologist, citing an article by Yu. Belikov, "Earthling Pilots UFO," as an example of poor content.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section on "Announcements," mentioning the 10th anniversary of the newspaper "Anomaliya" and K. K. Khazanovich's work on "Chronicles of Anomalous Phenomena in the Skies of the North-West of Russia," which compiles hundreds of mysterious observations. The magazine also includes a "Miscellaneous" section with congratulations for pensioners and military personnel, and notes the issue was completed on October 8, 2000, by Mikhail Gershtein.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of famous UFO cases and figures, particularly George Adamski, and the debunking of alleged hoaxes. The editorial stance is skeptical, emphasizing the need for rigorous analysis and evidence-based reporting in ufology. The magazine actively critiques other ufological publications, highlighting plagiarism, unsubstantiated claims, and the uncritical acceptance of questionable material. There is a clear effort to separate genuine anomalies from deliberate fabrications and misinterpretations within the field of ufology.