UFO Navigator - No 010 - 2001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator", dated March 2001, is a Russian ufological digest that covers a variety of UFO sightings and related space news. The cover headline highlights the "Mystery of the broadcast 'Military Secret'", along with other key topics such as the successful landing of the NEAR probe on asteroid Eros and a potential crashed alien ship on Mars.

News and Reports

Barnaul UFO Incident

The magazine details a series of events in Barnaul, Russia, starting with a report in the newspaper "Pravda" about a UFO sighting. An IL-76 cargo plane at Barnaul airport reportedly aborted takeoff because pilots saw a glowing object, described as a "flying saucer", hovering at 400 meters. Another cargo plane diverted to a reserve airfield due to the sighting. The director of the "Altai" airport humorously suggested fining the aliens and opening interplanetary communication. Eyewitnesses, including Sergey Kurennoi, head of flight operations, and dispatcher Andrey Karkavin, described a warm, colored light that changed from orange to violet-green and red. The object moved slowly, about 10-20 km/h, and eventually moved towards Pavlovsk. Military air defense systems reportedly detected nothing. The incident was also reported by Olga Larionova in "Sobesednik".

Another sighting occurred on January 26 in the village of Malakhovo, where a resident observed an unusual, pulsating green light from a round object, about 40 cm in diameter, on a neighbor's roof. The object slowly rose and disappeared.

NEAR Probe Landing on Asteroid Eros

The issue reports on the successful landing of the NEAR-Shoemaker probe on the asteroid Eros on February 13, 2001. This event was widely covered by international news agencies. The probe touched down at a speed of 1.9 m/s, marking a significant achievement as it was not designed for landing. Despite the landing, telemetry data was initially unclear, but the probe continued to send signals. NASA scientists expressed amazement, noting that the probe had to undergo four corrective maneuvers. NEAR became the first Earth probe to land on an asteroid. The mission was extended by 10 days, and specialists debated whether to activate an additional engine, but it was deemed unnecessary as the probe landed "correctly". The probe collected extensive data, including 11 million laser rangefinder measurements and 200,000 images, according to CNN.

Alleged Alien Ship on Mars

Following the "face on Mars" anomaly, a new claim emerged regarding a possible crashed alien spacecraft on Mars, based on images from the Mars Global Surveyor probe. The object, found on a plateau near a water-shaped depression, was estimated to be about 100 meters in diameter. Steve Wingate processed the image, which was posted online. The article notes that the object's location on uneven terrain and its appearance could be due to erosion, similar to the Martian "sphinx". The magazine also briefly mentions a "possible underground city" detected by the Soviet Phobos-2 probe, but dismisses it as likely an artifact of image processing.

UFO Sightings in the USA

The "American UFO Chronicle" section details several sightings from January and February 2001:

• January 20: A red disc-shaped object was seen moving very fast near Poughquag, New York.
• January 21: A helicopter-like object, later identified as an oval or triangular craft with powerful lights and no visible tail, was observed over a highway near Encino, California.
• January 25: A silent, disc-shaped UFO was seen flying low over houses in Porterville, California, described as the size of an 18-wheel truck, moving slowly with intermittent stops. It had rotating red, blue, white, and green lights.
• February 1: Astronomer Scott Forrest in Trenton, New Jersey, observed a fast-moving green object with large angular dimensions, shining brightly.
• February 5: A "strange triangular object with 3-4 lights" was seen hovering low over Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• February 5: A resident of Edairville, Kentucky, reported seeing three "triangles", one of which hovered silently about 50 feet above the ground, emitting red and blue lights before flying west.
• February 7: A triangular object, reflecting silver, was seen hovering briefly and silently near Bowling Green, Kentucky.
• February 8: Two people observed a black "T"-shaped object flying faster than a plane over Columbus, Ohio, with lights underneath.
• February 9: A bright, cigar-shaped UFO was seen over the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, described as "glowing magnesium with a dark center, brightly shining orange on the periphery".

UFO Sightings in Malaysia

Reports of mass UFO sightings over Malaysia continue. On February 5, bright orange fiery spheres were seen over Bandar Sunway. Eight spheres moved in a line, then converged before disappearing. On February 7, "The Star" newspaper reported that these lights were filmed on video, with one witness describing them as fiery spheres circling the moon and then moving away at high speed.

UFO Sightings in Argentina

From February 6 to 9, glowing objects were observed over Oro Blanco, near Saenz Pena, Argentina. These UFOs flew low and were seen by locals who had become accustomed to them. The objects typically flew north, increasing in size, then ascending and shooting vertically upwards. On February 8, one object flew west to east, performing similar maneuvers. The true shape was obscured by the glow.

Chilean Air Force Transmits UFO Archive to USA

On February 18, it was reported that the Chilean Air Force had transferred secret information about UFO observations to the US Department of Defense's DIA. This was announced by the Chilean ufological organization "Ovnivision".

UFO Sightings in Chile

On February 17, thousands of residents in Antofagasta, Calama, and other northern Chilean cities observed a giant silver "saucer" high in the sky. Pilots from two passenger planes also reported seeing the object, which was detected on radar at an altitude of 18 kilometers. It was described as "two large saucers, joined at the edges". The observation lasted about 30 minutes. The object was also detected by radar of the 5th Brigade of the Chilean Air Force.

UFO Sightings in the UK

Reports from late January and early February 2001 include:

• Late January: Joe Sherlock in Linton, North Devon, filmed "strange lights" rotating in the night sky.
• February 2: A yellow UFO was seen over Eccles, Sussex, described as a bright light approaching from the ocean, with a large spherical object hovering and emitting a downward glow, surrounded by smaller red lights.
• February 3: Paul Hannan in Yeld-Close observed a dome-shaped object, which appeared smaller through binoculars than with the naked eye. This was the 20th sighting reported by "The Matlock Mercury" since September 2000.
• February 8: A couple in Wirksworth observed a blue light with an orange tail crossing the sky at high speed, possibly a meteor or space debris.
• February 8: A woman in Gloucester saw a fiery object fly over a flock of birds, indicating it was at a high altitude.
• February 8: Bill Bimson saw a giant triangular UFO over Liverpool, hovering silently with white lights on the sides and a red light in the center. Four minutes later, another "triangle" appeared with orange, red, and green lights.
• Night of February 13: Emergency services in Northern Ireland responded to reports of a light aircraft crashing in the mountains, but searches found nothing, suggesting the sightings might have been UFOs or meteors.

Other Space News

Mir Space Station

The Mir space station is reportedly falling and cannot be saved. Cosmonaut Vladimir Solovyov stated that it was becoming dangerous for cosmonauts to remain on board, and that it was time to stop its operation after exceeding its service life by three times.

Life on Mars Evidence

Tiny magnetic particles found in a Martian meteorite ("Allen Hills 84001") are similar to those produced by Earth bacteria, suggesting the possibility of past life on Mars. Scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, who are studying the meteorite, believe this provides further evidence for biological origins.

NASA Responds to Fox TV Film

NASA reacted strongly to a Fox TV film that claimed Americans had never been to the Moon. A NASA representative called the film "idiotic", "ridiculous", "scandalous", "irresponsible", and "charlatanic", demanding equal airtime to refute the "collection of rumors and insinuations" that could mislead millions of schoolchildren.

"Hymn of Informologists of the World"

The magazine reprints the full text of "Hymn of Informologists of the World" by V. G. Azhazha, a ufologist and professor. The hymn is presented as a call to unity and the importance of information in the "informational age".

"Flying Triangles" and US Aircraft

Following up on previous publications, the magazine notes that suspicions that "flying triangles" are secret US aircraft have been supported by "Komsomolskaya Pravda". The newspaper published a photograph, albeit of poor quality, showing a KC-135 refueling tanker with a triangular aircraft. The article suggests that the data on these triangular craft is highly classified.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently reports on UFO sightings across various continents, suggesting a global phenomenon. There's a recurring theme of distinguishing between potential extraterrestrial craft and terrestrial technology (e.g., secret military aircraft, balloons). The magazine also covers space exploration news, particularly concerning Mars and asteroid landings, and speculates on the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for critical analysis and distinguishing between credible reports and misidentifications or hoaxes. The inclusion of the "Hymn" and the response to the Fox TV film indicate an interest in broader societal and scientific issues related to information and belief systems.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Volume 8, Issue 11, dated February 2001) focuses on UFO phenomena, with a particular emphasis on military involvement and alleged government secrecy. The cover headline, "UFOs Over The Military," and the cover description, featuring a stylized UFO, set the tone for the content.

Astrological Scams and UFO Business

The issue begins with a critique of Pavel Globa's astrological advertisements, which are described as a scam designed to extract money from people. The article details how Globa offers 'free help' for 'two cherished wishes' via a coupon in "Komsomolskaya Pravda," promising a personal letter with important messages. The author likens this to a mechanism of 'astro-fraud,' referencing Istvan Rat-Veg's book "History of Human Stupidity." The process involves an initial newspaper announcement, a response letter that appears personalized but is generic, and then a request for more detailed birth data for 'complex, in-depth calculations,' implying a further payment for a 'detailed horoscope.' The article suggests that the responses are identical for all clients, differing only in birth data.

Witness Accounts of UFO Sightings

The magazine presents several firsthand accounts of UFO sightings:

• Andrey Valeryevich Zhadenov reported observing a dark, black-brown trail and a spherical glow following his "British Airways" flight from London to St. Petersburg on January 10, 2001. The phenomenon remained at a consistent distance from the aircraft and disappeared when the plane exited the clouds.
• Roman Khalin, a 17-year-old from Tallinn, Estonia, described seeing a bright, star-like object on February 17, 2001. The object emitted a beam of light, sometimes turned red, and moved in a peculiar pattern of hovering and shifting direction before vanishing.
• SkyTiger reported a mysterious bright beam of light falling from the sky near Narva, Estonia, on February 20, 2001. The witnesses, the Fokinys, experienced a power outage during the event.
• Vladimir F. recounted an observation from the summer of 1980 near Mirny, Samara Oblast, Russia. He saw two soap bubble-like spheres, about 150 mm in diameter, rising slowly from the ground and moving away, seemingly connected by an invisible thread.
• Lara B. from Novosibirsk described a cigar-shaped object seen on January 26, 2001, flying at an estimated altitude of 2,000 meters with flickering lights.
• Alex reported an unusual event in the summer of 1984 in Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border. He witnessed a white spot in the sky that expanded to cover the entire sky with luminescence before receding.
• Marina Bratyshevskaya reported seeing UFOs three times in the summer of 1992 near Zavidovo, Moscow Oblast, Russia. Two sightings involved bright, fiery ball-like objects, and one was a large, glowing oval with a luminous tail and a colorful object within it.
• Evgeny, a former sailor, described an amorphous, shapeless object near the moon on a clear night in late October/early November 1989. The object emitted light and changed color, followed by rays of light spreading across the sky.
• Mikhail Mikhailovich Fenko and Vera Ivanovna Fenko reported observing a colorful, pulsating object in the sky near Crimea on January 23, 2001. The object displayed shifting colors and appeared to be cone-shaped.

UFOs and the Military

The issue dedicates significant attention to the alleged involvement of military forces and government agencies in UFO phenomena:

• Project "UFO Observer's Questionnaire" by V. Smolin (Rigel) received numerous reports, including those mentioned above.
• "Military Secret" Broadcast and Ministry of Defense Archives: The article discusses a broadcast on the Russian TV channel REN-TV, "Military Secret," which claimed to have received exclusive, declassified materials from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding UFOs. These materials allegedly included secret lists of UFO observations on military bases, methodological guidelines for military personnel, and video recordings of strange objects. Ukrainian ufologists, including Viktor Romanchenko, sent a request to the Ministry of Defense for access to these documents.
• Alexander Plaksin, described as a leading expert of the Ministry of Defense on anomalous aerospace phenomena, stated that the ministry takes UFOs seriously and organized a top-secret center in 1980 near Mytishchi to collect all UFO-related information.
• Major General of Aviation Nikolai Antoshkin claimed to have personally witnessed strange, luminous aerial vehicles whose behavior and characteristics defied earthly explanations. He mentioned seeing several such objects while serving in the 50th Missile Division of the Strategic Rocket Forces.
• Incident at the 50th Missile Division (October 4, 1982): The magazine details an incident where unidentified flying objects appeared over the division's positions, causing the automatic control system of a combat complex to activate, with warning lights flashing and the "launch" indicators lighting up. This event is described as potentially leading to a nuclear war.
• Colonel Boris Sokolov confirmed that signal lights on control panels for missile launch suddenly lit up, indicating that missiles were ready for launch, a state that normally only occurs after a direct order.
• Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Platunov described an object resembling a "flying saucer" that made a sharp turn.
• The article questions the authenticity of the "Military Secret" broadcast, noting that Colonel German Konstantinovich Kolchin found the segment to be only 7 minutes long and lacking specific details about the reported events.

Historical UFO Incidents

The issue also revisits historical UFO cases:

• Mysterious Meteor (1922): A report from the "New York Times" describes an officer, Frank C. Blessing, witnessing a giant fiery ball with a long tail over the coast of Brazil for three minutes and twenty seconds.
• UFO Crash in Western Europe? (1971): A sensational report from the German newspaper "Blick" details a "Boeing-707" airliner narrowly avoiding a collision with an unidentified flying object described as a fiery cone. Simultaneously, an Italian pilot reported seeing a similar object falling from the sky and crashing.
• "Flying Couple" over Nefteyugansk (1992): Residents of Pyt-Yakh, Tyumen Oblast, reported seeing a glowing 'person' with a girl on its back moving through the sky. The 'person' was described as wearing black trousers and having dark hair, while the girl appeared ordinary.
• UFO Overtakes Plane in Yakutia (1994): A report from "Polar Truth" describes a UFO, described as a rounded object with a greenish glow, overtaking a plane at an altitude of about two kilometers.
• Shofer Sees "Enlonaut" in Altai Krai (1999): A truck driver reported seeing a gray-blue figure with "very cosmic" eyes, which was then enveloped by a shimmering greenish beam of light.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across various locations and time periods, the alleged involvement and secrecy of military organizations, and the critique of fraudulent practices in the paranormal field (like astrological scams). The editorial stance appears to be one of critical investigation, presenting witness accounts while also questioning the official narratives and the methods of self-proclaimed psychics and astrologers. The magazine aims to document UFO phenomena and explore potential government cover-ups, while also debunking less credible claims.

Notable Quotes and FAQ

The most striking quote comes from an unnamed author on page 9, expressing amazement at the Ministry of Defense's official stance on UFOs. The FAQ section addresses common reader queries about the magazine, the "Military Secret" broadcast, astrological scams, and specific reported sightings.

Summary Synopsis

This issue of "UFO Navigator" presents a collection of UFO sightings from Russia and Estonia, ranging from aerial phenomena observed by pilots and civilians to more mysterious events involving beams of light and power outages. It critically examines astrological advertisements as a form of financial exploitation. A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to alleged military involvement with UFOs, including reports of sightings by military personnel, the existence of secret UFO archives within the Russian Ministry of Defense, and a concerning incident at a missile base in 1982. Historical UFO cases from 1922, 1971, 1980, 1989, 1992, and 1994 are also revisited, highlighting the long-standing nature of these phenomena. The magazine questions the veracity of certain media reports concerning UFOs and military disclosures, suggesting a complex interplay of genuine sightings, potential government interest, and questionable claims within the UFO community.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: 3
Volume: 2001
Date: 2001

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into the Soviet military's involvement in UFO research, focusing on the "Setka-MO" and "Nit-3" programs. It highlights specific incidents, discusses the declassification of documents, and explores various theories and explanations for anomalous aerial phenomena.

The "Setka-MO" Program and Declassified Documents

The article begins by referencing the declassification of documents related to the Soviet military's UFO research program, "Setka-MO," and its sub-program "Nit-3." These documents, reportedly sold to American journalists Brian Grash and John Knapp, provided evidence of Soviet efforts to study "flying saucers." The text mentions a "List of persons who observed UFOs" from October 4, 1982, related to the 50th Missile Division of the Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN).

The Khmelnitsky Incident (October 4, 1982)

Colonel Boris Sokolov, a participant in the "Setka-MO" program, frequently described a mysterious event on October 4, 1982. According to a joint article by Sokolov and Platonov in "Vestnik Rossiyskoy Akademii Nauk," the incident occurred at a missile forces division in the Khmelnitsky region, Ukraine. Between 6 PM and 10 PM, many servicemen and their families (up to 50 people) witnessed unusual luminous objects in the northern sky. These objects, described as bright and glowing, appeared and disappeared for several minutes, resembling dirigibles. Some witnesses reported seeing dark, window-like spots on these objects from which arc-shaped luminous streams extended towards the ground.

This event gained significance when a warning light on the missile launch control panel of the division's command post illuminated, indicating a system malfunction. A few dozen seconds later, the light extinguished, but the crew remained concerned about the equipment's reliability. The division commander reported the temporary malfunction to the General Staff, linking it to the unusual aerial objects.

A special commission was dispatched to investigate. Within two hours, they determined that the observed phenomena were likely related to the 26th Air Army's aviation training range in Belarusian Polesie, approximately 400 km away. At that time, exercises involving the dropping of illumination bombs, followed by conventional bombing, were taking place. These illumination bombs, dropped from an altitude of about 10 km, descended by parachute, illuminating a large area for 5-7 minutes. The luminous effects observed over the Belarusian airbase were visible from the missile unit 400 km to the south. The horizon for observers was over 12 km high, meaning the trajectory of the bombs and their luminous effects occurred "below the horizon." The article suggests that under specific atmospheric conditions, super-refraction could have played a role. The malfunction of the command post equipment was deemed coincidental.

Revisions and Skepticism

The article notes that both Platonov and Sokolov later seemed to retract or downplay their earlier accounts, which the author attributes to a desire to publish in the skeptical "Vestnik RAN" and the dissolution of their research groups. The formation of the "Commission for Combating Pseudoscience" under academician Eduard Kruglyakov is also mentioned as a factor influencing former "Setka" participants.

The author questions Sokolov's revised statements, citing his previous interviews and the sale of documents to Western journalists. These documents reportedly include eyewitness accounts and drawings of the October 4, 1982, UFO sightings, indicating the objects were observed directly over the military unit and possessed large angular dimensions and symmetrical shapes, unlike the scattered lights of illumination bombs.

A mathematical calculation is presented to show the implausibility of the illumination bomb explanation for the Khmelnitsky incident. For the objects to be visible at a distance of 400 km, they would need to be at an altitude of at least 60 km, not the 10 km from which bombs are dropped. The author questions how super-refraction could elevate their image so high and act like a giant lens, and finds the simultaneous malfunction of the automated combat system highly suspect.

The Korotkov Incident (October 1981)

The broadcast then shifts to an incident in October 1981 near Kaliningrad, where Lieutenant Korotkov, a pilot, reportedly encountered a UFO that attacked his aircraft, forcing him to make an emergency landing. A photograph of the aircraft's tailplane shows a piece seemingly torn out. The pilot's diagram of the encounter is also mentioned. The most shocking aspect for specialists was that the aircraft's electronics, which had failed without external interference, inexplicably reactivated exactly 24 hours later. The article suggests that a secret service within the Ministry of Defense was already aware of such cases.

This incident is not presented as a new secret, as it was reported in "Pravda" in 1981 and "Tekhnika-Molodezhi" in 1982. Most specialists consider the object to have been a ball lightning, although the nature of the damage is debated.

The "Mytishchi" Laboratory and Soviet UFO Directives

Alexander Plaksin describes a special, top-secret laboratory established in Mytishchi in 1980 to collect information on anomalous aerospace phenomena. This lab received reports from all branches of the military, and specialists (including radio electronics experts, geophysicists, and medics) were dispatched to investigate physical traces of impacts.

A secret directive from the Soviet General Staff, outlining procedures for encountering "anomalous aerospace phenomena" (UFOs), is mentioned. This directive emphasized the need to use all electronic and visual observation means due to the sudden nature of these objects. It also mandated that each military unit appoint an officer responsible for collecting UFO information. These "Methodological Guidelines" were later downgraded to "for internal use only" and disseminated widely.

International Perspectives and HAARP

Plaksin states that no hypothesis was rejected, including the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations. He contrasts this with a translated excerpt from a closed American instruction, which reportedly advised publishing open information while omitting serious technical details. This, he suggests, might explain the large number of seemingly credible UFO contact and wreckage retrieval cases, which could be provocations by special services to distract from their true objectives.

The article touches upon a classification of UFOs, claiming that about 85% of cases are due to unknown but terrestrial natural laws that cause malfunctions in military equipment. This is presented as the reason for the secrecy surrounding military interest in UFOs. The author notes that this classification was published by A. A. Plaksin himself in the journal "Zemlya i Vselennaya" in 1995.

The discussion then briefly mentions the HAARP project in Alaska, describing it as a project involving 180 generators of a special electromagnetic field, and hints at its potential to disrupt Earth's magnetic field. The author dismisses Plaksin's subsequent remarks about HAARP as meaningless.

The End of the Soviet UFO Program and Lingering Questions

The article concludes that practical work in this area has ceased, and UFO investigations were considered "deadly dangerous." The author expresses a desire to reveal more but refrains from doing so to avoid disclosing classified information, leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness.

Other Sections

Book Reviews and Bibliography: This section provides ratings for various UFO-related publications, including "Anomalnye Novosti," "Anomaliya," "NLO," and "Tainy XX veka." It critiques the content, highlighting issues like plagiarism and sensationalism.

Announcements: An announcement for a lecture by ufologist Pavel Gershunenko in St. Petersburg is included.

Miscellaneous: Brief mentions of cryptozoological discoveries (unusual animal sightings in America, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia), a singer insuring herself against alien contact, and a prophecy by Vanga involving sugar distribution in Bulgaria.

Glossary: Definitions for terms like "Atmospheric Phenomena," "Aura Rhanes," "Aypopa," "Ashtar," "Aerostats," "Aeriforms," and "Ayaki" are provided.

Khmelnitsky Incident Re-examination: The article revisits the Khmelnitsky incident, questioning the illumination bomb explanation and suggesting that the objects were indeed anomalous and observed directly over the military unit.

The "Ashtar" Phenomenon: The origin of the "Ashtar" persona is traced back to George Van Tassel and the book "Oahspe," with various interpretations of his supposed extraterrestrial origins and role.

Atlantis: The legend of Atlantis is briefly discussed in relation to potential alien visitation and its destruction.

Atmospheric Phenomena: A list of optical, electromagnetic, and cloud-related atmospheric phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs is provided.

Aura Rhanes: The story of an alleged alien contactee named Aura Rhanes is recounted.

Aypopa (Aurora): This entry refers to both a US hypersonic aerospace plane and a town in Texas where a UFO crash was allegedly reported.

Ashtar: The legendary alien contactee Ashtar is described, with details about his supposed origins and messages.

Aerostats/Aeriforms: These terms are linked to UFOs in mystical-occult circles in the US during the 1940s-1960s.

Ayaki: A term for individual units of anomalous phenomena.

Cryptozoological Oddities: Reports of unusual animal sightings from February 2001 are presented.

Marina Khlebnikova's Alien Insurance: A news item about a singer insuring herself against alien contact.

Vanga's Prophecy: A story about fulfilling a prophecy by Vanga involving sugar distribution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of military activities, scientific investigation, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. There's a clear skepticism towards official explanations when they seem to contradict eyewitness accounts or logical analysis, as seen in the critique of the Khmelnitsky incident's explanation. The editorial stance appears to favor presenting evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the potential for misidentification and the role of atmospheric conditions. The recurring theme is the ongoing mystery surrounding UFOs and the efforts, both past and present, to understand them, often against a backdrop of secrecy and skepticism.