UFO Navigator - No 002 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NAVIGATOR
Issue: N 2 (0002)
Date: October 2000
Publisher: Russian ufological digest

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on religious apparitions linked to potential UFO activity, as well as reports of alleged UFO crashes and technological developments.

Visions of the "Virgin Mary" in Egypt and the USA

The lead story details the phenomenon of "Visions of the Virgin Mary" occurring in Egypt and the USA. In Egypt, thousands of pilgrims, including Christians and Muslims, have been flocking to the Coptic Church of St. Mark near Asyut to witness a luminous figure of the Virgin Mary appearing above the temple domes. The apparitions, which began around August 1, 2000, were officially recognized by the Coptic episcopate on August 17. Witnesses describe a light taking the form of the Virgin Mary, blessing onlookers, and accompanied by translucent, bird-like beings and mysterious lights. The phenomenon has been captured on video. The article notes that similar reports from Egypt date back to 1968, when the Virgin Mary was seen over a church in Zeitoun, Cairo, an event even visited by then-President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Meanwhile, a different kind of "Virgin Mary" manifestation was reported in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA. On a window of Ramon Collado's house, a 'non-hand-made' image appeared, described as depicting 'the face of God, the Virgin Mary, and an angel,' which changes color with the light. This has drawn thousands of people to the site, praying and seeking to touch the glass. Reverend Michael Scott of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church commented that the event has been beneficial for faith, while the homeowner believes it's a sign from the Virgin Mary. The article questions the interpretation, referencing religious texts that suggest seeing God leads to death.

UFO Crashes and Sightings in Russia

The magazine reports on rumors of UFO crashes and mysterious aerial vehicle accidents in Russia. The newspaper "Kommersant" reported that on the night of October 14, residents of the village of Zeledeevo in the Yurginsky district, Kemerovo region, witnessed a large, burning object descending rapidly, suggesting a crash nearby. Despite a three-day search by local authorities and emergency services from Tomsk and Kemerovo, no trace of the object was found. Ufologist E. Gozhin suggested it might have been a rocket stage from a launch site. Another report, originating from the "Bureau of Independent Researchers" via the Internet, claims that on August 15, residents of Pokrovka village in the Tver region saw a silent, glowing aircraft, resembling a helicopter without blades, land in a field. Military trucks arrived shortly after, and the craft was removed. The article speculates this might have been a failed test of a reconnaissance drone like the American 'Dark Star,' with its glow possibly due to static electricity or fire.

American Military UFO Technology

An article from "Popular Mechanics" is previewed, discussing the US Air Force's development of a "penetrating atmospheric lenticular craft" (Lenticular Reentry Vehicle - LRV). This craft, reportedly 40 feet in diameter and weighing over 17,000 pounds, was developed under a "black budget" and kept secret from 1962 to 1999. The project's existence was revealed through the Freedom of Information Act. Journalists suggest that flight tests of the LRV might have led to UFO sighting reports, and its appearance in a hangar could have fueled rumors of captured "saucers." The article also links the LRV project to the discovery of honeycomb-like debris in Brisbane, Australia, in 1975, which contained chemical elements consistent with fiberglass panels.

"Angel's Hair" Phenomenon

Following up on previous reports, the magazine notes the occurrence of a filamentous substance, described as "angel's hair," in Livonia, Michigan, USA, on September 28. An eyewitness described the substance as resembling cat's fur, with individual strands sticking together. The material reportedly retained its form and did not disintegrate as expected. A chemical analysis is pending to determine its nature.

Philippine UFO Research

The "Manila Times" reported on the establishment of a UFO research group within the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Led by Elmer Escosia, the group aims to investigate UFO sightings in the country. While they have explained most sightings, three cases remain unexplained: one in 1984 involving a disc-shaped craft and a non-human creature near Ormoc, and two in 1997 and 2000 near Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, respectively. The latter involved hundreds of residents reporting transparent, jellyfish-like objects. A recent video, filmed by Antonio Israel in Las Piñas on September 3, 2000, shows small, red, glowing balls dancing in the sky. Escosia stated that the film suggests these were indeed UFOs, but declined to comment further pending investigation.

The Chupacabra Case

The issue revisits the case of the chupacabra, a creature blamed for draining blood from animals. A report from Nicaragua details the discovery of a chupacabra carcass, which zoologists found to be unlike anything they had seen. The carcass was sent to the National University. The article recounts that a farmer named Jorge Luis Talavera shot the creature on August 25 after finding his sheep dead. The carcass was initially identified by scientists as a dog, a conclusion Talavera strongly disputes, citing differences in the skeleton and teeth. He believes the carcass was substituted. The mayor of Malpaisillo also expressed dissatisfaction with the university's findings. The article notes that the "Le Monde" newspaper reported on the case, describing the creature as having a dog's body, a bull's head, small paws, and leathery wings like a bat, with crocodile-like features. The phenomenon of chupacabra sightings is also reported in other parts of Latin America.

Spherical UFOs over Castellón, Spain

On the evening of September 21, children in the port city of Castellón reported seeing a glowing spherical object twice. Local media reported the object, described as a "shining ball," flew slowly over the city and later reappeared. The children reported the sighting to the military police.

30,000 Mars Photos Online

The Mars Global Surveyor probe has made 30,000 new high-resolution photographs of the Martian surface available online, including images related to the search for the lost Mars Polar Lander probe.

American UFO Chronicle

This section provides a chronological list of recent UFO sightings in America:

• Middlesex, Pennsylvania: On September 19, a driver reported seeing two large, luminous objects resembling "stadium lights" over a field.
• Birmingham, Alabama: Two triangular UFOs were observed flying silently at an altitude of about 200 feet. A police helicopter attempted pursuit but was unsuccessful.
• Bridgewater, New Jersey: On September 24, a witness described a large, flat, black object with red and green lights, emitting a faint sound, which hovered before disappearing behind trees.
• Albuquerque, New Mexico: On September 26, truck drivers observed a giant triangular UFO, estimated to be ten to twenty stories wide, with bright white lights at the vertices and a red light in the center.
• Arizona/California border: On the same day, a bright green-orange flash was seen by thousands over a wide area, possibly a meteor.
• Idaho: On September 27, hunters reported a giant, silent triangular object hovering above their camp, causing panic before flying away.
• Columbia River Valley, Oregon: On September 28, a UFOlogist and witnesses observed a large jet aircraft followed by three triangular UFOs, significantly larger than the jet.
• Washington, D.C.: On September 29, small, shiny balls were seen flying near government buildings, engaging in complex aerial maneuvers before disappearing.
• Wichita, Kansas: On October 13, hundreds of people witnessed and filmed mysterious fiery spheres that exploded in the sky. NORAD stated they only track man-made objects and detected nothing unusual.

UFO Patent

The issue discusses a Russian patent (N 2150798) for a method to create artificial glowing clouds in near-Earth space. The patent, filed by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Keldysh Research Center," allows for the creation of luminous clouds in any desired shape, including flying saucers, cigars, and spheres, raising concerns about distinguishing real UFOs from artificial ones.

Reactions to Platonov and Sokolov's Article

This section presents the first responses to a controversial joint article by two Soviet UFO researchers, Platonov and Sokolov, who claimed to have identified most UFO sightings. Ufologist V. E. Shevtsov critically analyzes their findings, arguing that they deliberately understated the number of reported sightings. Shevtsov points out discrepancies, such as Sokolov selling a significant number of reports to American buyers, and suggests that the data presented does not logically support the article's conclusions about identifying most UFOs.

Local Reports

• "Saucer" over Polevskoy, Sverdlovsk Region: A letter describes a cigar-shaped object seen in 1997, followed by the witness's mother experiencing unexplained physical symptoms, memory loss, and emotional instability.
• UFO over Barnaul?: On September 12, a bright yellow-green object was observed moving slowly and changing color. On October 3, a red light was seen hovering and then moving away rapidly.

Our Calendar (Events from the Past)

• Zeitoun, Egypt, 1968: Sightings of the "Virgin Mary."
• Latvia, 1980: A third-kind contact involving holographic images.
• Ochakiv, 1990: UFO sighting.

The article elaborates on the 1968 Zeitoun apparitions, describing a luminous figure appearing over the church, witnessed by millions. The event was preceded by mysterious lights and was documented with numerous photographs.

Third Kind Contact in Latvia, 1980

A lawyer named A. reported an encounter on October 23, 1980, near Riga. She witnessed a group resembling herself and her daughter, followed by three beings in white suits with helmets. They observed the group before disappearing into the forest. Afterward, she saw a glowing red and yellow hemisphere on the ground, followed by a disc-shaped object ascending into the sky. Her father also witnessed the phenomenon. Investigations at the site revealed three landing indentations in a triangular formation.

UFO over Ochakiv, 1990

On October 15, 1990, a weakly glowing semi-sphere with approximately 30 projectors was seen hovering over the estuary near Ochakiv. The object moved slowly, stopped, and then retreated. The sighting lasted about five minutes, and the witness managed to take six photos, though the film was overexposed. Several people experienced headaches, and car engines stalled near the water.

Investigation: The "Document KGB" Mystery

This section addresses persistent rumors about Soviet air defense forces shooting down a UFO over the North Caucasus. The article recounts how Vladimir Azhazha received photographs of a "spaceship" allegedly found in the Darial Gorge, near Stolovaya Mountain. The photos, obtained from tourists, were shown to the Moscow Ufological Commission, which suggested inquiring with Mosfilm about any related film productions. However, no response was received. Later, ufologist Lev Chulkov requested copies of the photos for his book. The article notes that the alleged crash occurred in May 1983, discovered by mushroom pickers. Copies of the photos and information eventually reached Viktor Kostrykin, a known "contactee."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights recurring themes in ufology, including religious apparitions potentially linked to UFOs, government secrecy surrounding advanced technology, and the ongoing debate about the nature and origin of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and theories while also encouraging critical analysis and skepticism, as seen in the critique of the Platonov and Sokolov article and the questioning of the chupacabra identification. The magazine aims to inform readers about unexplained phenomena and encourage further investigation.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" focuses on various UFO-related phenomena, with a significant portion dedicated to the claims of Viktor Petrovich Kostrykin, a Russian contactee. The magazine critically examines his stories, photographs, and alleged encounters with extraterrestrial beings.

Viktor Kostrykin: Eccentric Contactee

The article introduces Viktor Petrovich Kostrykin as an eccentric individual who claimed to have experienced alien contact and possessed a 'personal communication channel' with them. Despite a past stay in a psychiatric hospital, he was released and produced numerous manuscripts detailing his 'research' and 'contacts.' One of his claims was a maternal connection to V. I. Lenin. Personal accounts describe how Kostrykin's contact with UFOs allegedly began after a desperate situation where he was guided by a voice from a transistor to obtain rope and money to buy alcohol.

Kostrykin later augmented his claims with 'vivid details' obtained through his 'extrasensory abilities.' He asserted that a UFO entered Soviet airspace on May 5, 1983, and was targeted by PVO (Air Defense) forces with a surface-to-air missile. The radar signature disappeared, leading the military to believe the craft was destroyed. However, the damaged UFO reportedly landed on Stolovaya Mountain, where it was encountered by tourists before a military search team arrived. The article notes that these details were also propagated by L. Chulkov.

Kostrykin was not alone in Nalchik; he associated with other 'contactees' like Galina Levitskaya and her circle in the early 1980s. The magazine references Levitskaya's book "The Call of the Cosmos" but notes its brevity on these matters.

A significant piece of evidence discussed is Kostrykin's manuscript "Zondy, umy i lyudi ot 'Fomy'" (Probes, Minds, and People from 'Foma'). This manuscript details an event on the night of March 5, 1983, where Soviet PVO allegedly shot down a research radio sonde that made an automatic landing on Stolovaya Mountain. The manuscript claims three photos of the downed 'radio sonde' were presented for identification by 'Star Systems.' A contact named 'Khasma' reportedly confirmed the photos and discussed whether the object was an alien craft or camouflage. The manuscript also mentions that the photos were supposedly taken in early May 1983 on Stolovaya Mountain and describes the object as having a cockpit, landing gear, and a hatch.

The 'Aztec' Incident and International Exposure

The article then shifts to the 'Aztec' incident, referencing a report from the Hollywood magazine "Variety" in 1949. It details claims by unnamed scientists about studying two crashed 'flying saucers.' One crashed in the Sahara, and another near Aztec, New Mexico, USA, allegedly containing 16 charred corpses of 'little people.' Silas Newton, speaking at the University of Denver in 1950, claimed to have knowledge of flying saucer crashes from 'government experts.' He described a craft that fell near Aztec, with occupants described as 38-44 inches tall, perfectly formed, and dressed in 1890s fashion. The craft, made of indestructible metal, was opened by inserting a long pole through a punctured porthole.

Frank Scully's 1950 book "Behind the Flying Saucers" is mentioned, which elaborated on Newton's claims, identifying 'Dr. Gee' as a 'government scientist.' However, an investigation by J. Kahn revealed that 'Dr. Gee' was actually Leo Gibaouer, a con artist. Newton and Gibaouer were later convicted of fraud for selling fake UFO debris and shares.

Kostrykin's photographs reportedly surfaced in the West in 1990, leading to his participation in a conference in Frankfurt-on-Main. The article notes that Western media reports distorted the event, with one headline stating "UFO SHOT DOWN BY RUSSIANS." This report claimed Soviet MiG-25 fighters shot down a UFO over Azerbaijan in 1983, with debris later found by mushroom pickers who subsequently died from radiation poisoning.

In 1991, Kostrykin also presented his photos at a world UFO congress in Tucson, USA.

The Voronezh Connection and KGB Document

The magazine then discusses a Voronezh ufologist, Alexander Mosolov, and his book "UFO and the KGB." Mosolov recounts an incident in 1990 where an 'unusual apparatus' was detected by PVO near the border and fired upon. The object, lacking identification codes, was hit but only glowed red and descended. A smaller object detached and disappeared, while the main craft landed. Mosolov obtained a photograph of this object from a member of the investigative commission.

Furthermore, the article presents a declassified KGB document from 1989. This document, addressed to the commander of a military unit, requests the transfer of a 'captured object' to a special convoy. It emphasizes strict security measures, prohibiting access to party officials and demanding that the object's location be kept secret. The document also instructs that the crash site be camouflaged and restored. The magazine questions the authenticity of this document, especially in light of a claim by N. Romanov that such communications were not typically transmitted by fax in 1990 and that the document might have been assembled from different pieces.

Critiques and Recurring Themes

The "UFO Navigator" issue includes a section on critiques and bibliographies, rating various UFO publications. It reviews "Anomalous News," "Anomaly," and "Oracle," often finding them to be repetitive or lacking in scientific rigor. The magazine highlights instances where publications allegedly plagiarize or rehash old material.

One article discusses the phenomenon of 'akinesia,' a temporary paralysis experienced during UFO encounters, exploring potential explanations ranging from direct physical or psychological influence to more esoteric 'energetic' theories.

Another section addresses the 'Aztec' incident again, refuting the claims made by William Steinman and Wendell Stevens in their book "UFO Crash at Aztec," stating that there is no evidence to support the story.

The magazine also touches upon other topics, including a potential tsunami threat to the US East Coast from the Cumbre Vieja volcano and the discovery of ancient underwater settlements in the Black Sea, linking it to the 'Noah's Flood' narrative.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is a critical examination of UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on debunking sensational claims and exposing potential hoaxes. The magazine expresses skepticism towards contactee accounts, alleged government cover-ups, and the authenticity of photographic and documentary evidence. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and scientific analysis in understanding UFO reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to be wary of misinformation within the ufology community.

This issue of the magazine, dated October 22, 2000, is compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein from Saint Petersburg. The content includes a report on ancient history and a critical look at a former telehealer.

Ancient History of the Black Sea

The magazine reports on findings by scientists from Columbia University, suggesting that 7000 years ago, the Black Sea was a freshwater lake. This lake was separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a land bridge. As glaciers melted and sea levels rose, this land bridge could no longer withstand the pressure, and the waters of the Mediterranean cascaded into the Black Sea, flooding it.

Adventures of Alan Chumak in Crimea

The article details the recent activities of Alan Chumak, a well-known telehealer from the past, in Simferopol, Crimea, as reported by "Komsomolskaya Pravda." Chumak was described as acting like a peddler, advertising and selling items that he claimed were "charged with his biofield" and could heal "everything in the world." The report specifically mentions "charged oil" that supposedly helped with impotence and frigidity, and "miracle salt."

However, the article takes a skeptical tone, recounting an incident that occurred after Chumak's sessions, just before his departure. A correspondent from "Komsomolskaya Pravda" visited Chumak in his hotel room and found him looking ill and exhausted, sitting on his bed. Beside him, on a nightstand, was a pile of ordinary pharmacy pills. The report implies that Chumak was taking these common medications to improve his own health, rather than using the "miracle" products he was selling to the public. The article quotes the correspondent's observation: "Apparently, for himself, dear one, there were no more healing goods left: he gave it all away to the people."

The article concludes with the statement that "Comments are superfluous.." and notes that the issue was completed at 02:00 on October 22, 2000.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards paranormal claims and the commercialization of such practices. While presenting a scientific finding about ancient history, the magazine focuses on debunking or questioning the efficacy and authenticity of a prominent figure in the telehealing field, Alan Chumak. The narrative highlights the discrepancy between Chumak's public claims and his private actions, suggesting a lack of genuine belief or efficacy in his own advertised products.