UFO Navigator - No 016 - 2001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," a Russian ufological digest, is an "Emergency Issue" from Summer 2001, titled "UFO Navigator" and identified as issue number 16 (0016).

Main Cover Headlines

The cover prominently features the headline "GIANT 'UFO' THREE DAYS OVER RUSSIA," alongside smaller headlines about "CROP CIRCLES AND MYSTERIOUS PITS EVERYWHERE" and "THE MYSTERY OF THE 'ALIEN WAND' SOLVED!"

Featured Articles and News

Mysterious "Circles" in Adygea

On the night of July 12-13, 2001, five concentric crop circles of varying diameters appeared in a field near the Adyghe collective farm "Severny," five kilometers north of Maykop. The event was broadcast on ORT channel and featured on its website. The circles, with the largest measuring 19 meters in diameter, had crops laid down clockwise and undamaged. A cylindrical pit, 10 cm in diameter and 40 cm deep, was found in the center of the largest circle. Radioactivity levels were within normal limits. Specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations suggested that if aliens were responsible, they might have been collecting soil samples, explaining the undamaged crops and the pit.

"Circles" in Russia and Serbia

In May-June 2001, numerous reports of "crop circles" emerged from Russia and Eastern Europe. Three cases are detailed:

• Domnino, Orlovsky Oblast, Russia: In May 2001, eleven circles ranging from six to fifteen meters in diameter appeared on a ravine slope. The grass within the circles was taller and greener, with a dark, scorched strip around the outer edge. Residents reported brief power outages.
• Voronezh, Russia: On May 30, 2001, crop circles appeared on the experimental field of the Voronezh Agricultural Institute. The stalks were arranged in rows, with some areas showing opposite directions and double layers. Rectangular patterns were also noted.
• Serbia: Around June 2-3, 2001, three perfectly circular formations appeared in a wheat field near Odzaci. The largest was nearly 50 meters in diameter. Local dogs barked loudly on the night of their appearance.

"Pits" in Ryazan Oblast

The issue reports on mysterious "pits" appearing overnight, similar to crop circles but without any visible signs of machinery or displaced earth. In the Ermishinsky district of Ryazan Oblast, two geometrically regular cylindrical pits, over 1.5 meters in diameter and depth, were discovered. Two days later, a triangular pit with rounded corners appeared in one of them. Another similar cylindrical pit was found 400 meters away. Local residents reported that the grass in the area had turned yellow. Radiation levels at the bottom of the pit were found to be higher than at its edge. The pits are speculated to be related to extraterrestrial activity, possibly for soil analysis.

Giant "UFO" Three Days Over Russia

This section details the sighting of a large object over European Russia from June 29 to July 1, 2001. Initial reports suggested it was a weather balloon, but many ufologists maintained it was a UFO. Observations from various locations, including Udomlya and Volkhov, described a slow-moving, white, transparent-matte sphere, approximately half the diameter of the moon. Other witnesses in Tver Oblast and near Klin described it as a bright, stationary "ball" that later moved south and appeared as a large, bright white balloon. Detailed observations from M. Kartashov and Valery from Volkhov are presented, along with accounts from I. Samoilova and I. Lisov. The object was observed to change shape, color, and trajectory, with some witnesses describing it as a "bag" or "lens-shaped" balloon. Its estimated size varied, with some suggesting a diameter of around 250 meters at a height of 25 km.

New Discoveries in the Kuiper Belt

Astronomers have discovered a new asteroid in the Kuiper Belt named Varuna, which is comparable in size to Ceres, the largest asteroid. This discovery has reignited the debate about whether Pluto should still be classified as a planet. Varuna's diameter is estimated at 900 km, with a reflectivity of 7%. Another object, 2001 KX76, with a diameter of 1000 km, was later discovered and is located 6.4 billion km from the Sun.

"Disks" Over Melbourne and Scotland: Details

• Melbourne, Australia: On June 16, 2001, over 20 witnesses reported seeing a dark gray disk with six glowing lights hovering for approximately two hours. A national space center (described as a UFO group) formed a special team to investigate.
• Scotland: A group of Japanese television crews claimed to have "irrefutable evidence" of UFOs preparing to land in Scotland. Objects emitting light were reportedly captured by a camera on a Scottish hotel roof. Local ufologist Ron Halliday expressed that this footage would convince skeptics of the existence of extraterrestrials.

New Ban on "Clonaid" Activities

The Raëlian sect's clandestine laboratory for human cloning has been shut down by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA issued a formal ban on further experiments. While no charges have been filed, a grand jury is reviewing the sect's financial and other documents. Clonaid stated its intention to produce a cloned baby in the following year, asserting their right to clone humans.

Chupacabra in Chile

The debate about the chupacabra continues in Chile, with a senator noting the real threat posed by the mysterious livestock deaths. Official investigations have yielded no new data, leading to speculation of a cover-up. The senator questions the purpose of official researchers who appear to find nothing. He suggests the phenomenon might be related to a migratory animal from Argentina. There is also a theory that the chupacabra is a government ploy to distract from unemployment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, crop circles, and mysterious ground traces, presenting eyewitness accounts and expert opinions. The editorial stance appears to favor the investigation of these phenomena, often questioning official explanations and highlighting inconsistencies. There is a clear interest in extraterrestrial hypotheses and a skepticism towards conventional scientific or governmental dismissals of these events. The inclusion of news on astronomical discoveries and controversial scientific endeavors like cloning suggests a broad interest in the unknown and the cutting edge of scientific and pseudoscientific inquiry.

Title: UFO Навигатор
Issue: 16
Volume: 1
Date: 2001
Publisher: РУФОРС
Country: Russia
Language: Russian

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into various aspects of ufology, featuring an in-depth final interview with prominent ufologist Alexander Kuzovkin, reports on UFO sightings and encounters from different regions, and an analysis of a mysterious artifact. It also includes updates on space exploration.

Alexander Kuzovkin: "Chaos Awaits Us!"

The centerpiece of this issue is the last interview with Alexander Kuzovkin, who passed away on May 7, 2001. The interview, conducted by Vladimir Proshkin for the newspaper "Provinциальная хроника," offers Kuzovkin's critical perspective on the current state of ufology. He expresses deep concern about humanity's future and its potential interactions with "other intelligent beings," questioning whether humanity is prepared for such encounters. Kuzovkin dismisses the idea that UFOs represent a highly advanced, benevolent civilization that will impart new knowledge. Instead, he suggests that humanity's own exploitative nature towards beings of a lower order might be a reflection of how these "other beings" would treat us. He criticizes the media's portrayal of UFOs, such as the "alien autopsy" shown on TV, as deliberate disinformation. Kuzovkin believes that our current understanding and perception are limited, preventing us from grasping the true nature of anomalous phenomena, which he suggests are not physical craft like "apparatuses or saucers" but something entirely different.

He alludes to the possibility of a "world government" controlled by non-terrestrial forces, referencing the idea that "we are all under a very big dome." Kuzovkin fears that if this "dome" were to be removed, humanity would descend into chaos due to the sudden revelation of reality. He also touches upon the ongoing race between Russia and the US in analyzing crashed UFOs, noting that the US has significantly more resources dedicated to this research, with centers possessing multi-million dollar budgets.

Kuzovkin also shares his thoughts on the concept of good and evil in the cosmos, stating that these are human constructs. He suggests that the increase in suicides in the El Loa province of Chile, linked by some to the actions of "chupacabras," might be a manifestation of a "demonic" influence or the "father of lies."

UFO Sightings and Encounters

"Spheres" in Belarus

An article reports on sightings of unidentified flying objects in the Krugljansky district of Belarus in July 2001. Local residents described seeing a glowing object and a flashing sphere from which two rainbow-like beams emerged. The sphere then dimmed, and the first object descended.

"Phantom Rockets" over Scandinavia

A declassified memorandum from August 1, 1946, discusses reports of "phantom rockets" seen over Scandinavia. While official sources suggested they were similar to V-1 rockets, investigations into debris found in Norway and Sweden were inconclusive. The memorandum speculates that these might be advanced rocket-propelled craft with a small self-destruction charge, possibly demonstrating Soviet capabilities.

"Hook" over Sumy Region

In July 1978, near the village of Ukrainska in the Sumy region of Ukraine, about 40 people observed a UFO resembling a "hook" with a moon-like color and intensity. The object hovered for about five minutes before disappearing. Military personnel later stated that radar did not detect the object, despite visual confirmation.

Flying Humanoid in Belarus

In June 1937, a seven-year-old girl named Lyudmila Fedosovna Chepik encountered a "flying humanoid" near Chashniki, Belarus. The being, described as short, athletic, with a large head and wearing dark, tight-fitting clothing and a helmet, descended silently from the sky. It interacted briefly with the girl before ascending rapidly and disappearing.

"Sign" Before the War

An anonymous letter describes an observation from the pre-war period (around 1940) near Voznesensk, Ukraine. A large, multi-colored object, described as a "hook" or "ribbon" of colors, was seen moving horizontally at a low altitude for about an hour. The observer interpreted it as a divine sign, possibly related to the impending war.

The "Wand" Artifact

This section details the story of a mysterious "wand" artifact allegedly given to a contactee by aliens. The wand, approximately 36 cm long, was reportedly received by Laszlo Bako in Hungary in 1953. The artifact is described as having a silver-gray metallic surface and emitting a green light from a truncated pyramid-like protrusion on one end. The most remarkable aspect is its material composition: 100,000% pure magnesium, a purity considered unattainable on Earth. The analysis was conducted unofficially due to legal restrictions in Hungary. The wand was later presented at a UFO congress, where it was suggested to be the first undisputed material evidence of extraterrestrial origin.

Space Exploration News

MESSENGER Mission to Mercury

NASA has announced the upcoming launch of the MESSENGER probe to Mercury. The spacecraft will study the planet's surface, environment, and geochemistry. The mission, costing $256 million, is scheduled to launch in March 2004 and orbit Mercury by April 2009. This will be the first orbital mission to Mercury, a planet with extreme temperature variations and a thin atmosphere.

Galileo and Cassini Probes

The Galileo probe continues its mission around Jupiter, providing new images of its moons Io and Europa. New photographs of Io reveal unusual temperature uniformity between its equator and poles, attributed to volcanic activity. The Cassini probe, currently in space, has also captured images of auroras and volcanic light on Io.

Opinion and Statistics

Gallup Poll on Paranormal Beliefs

A 2001 Gallup poll indicated a significant increase in Americans' belief in paranormal phenomena over the past decade. The survey showed rising belief in areas such as extrasensory perception, ghosts, and telepathy. A similar German poll found that 20% of respondents believe in aliens and UFOs.

Kuzovkin on Good and Evil

Kuzovkin posits that good and evil are human concepts and do not exist in the cosmos. He suggests that the concept of the devil might represent other hostile forces. He also links the rise in suicides in Chile to the actions of "chupacabras" and the influence of "the father of lies."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of UFO sightings, alien contact, government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, and the analysis of alleged alien artifacts. There is a strong emphasis on presenting witness testimonies and scientific investigations, while also acknowledging the role of hoaxes and disinformation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the unexplained, with a critical eye towards sensationalism and a belief that significant, potentially world-altering truths about UFOs are being withheld or misinterpreted.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue: 21-22
Volume: 1995
Date: 1995

This issue of UFO Navigator presents a critical and often skeptical examination of various phenomena related to UFOs and the paranormal. It features discussions on alleged alien artifacts, the controversial use of dowsing in Ufology, and reports on cryptids like Nessie and Bigfoot.

Analysis of a 'Cosmic' Find

The issue begins with an account of an artifact, described as a 'special pin from a nuclear reactor,' which was presented by a Hungarian contactee named Laszlo Bako. The initial reaction from observer Avinsky was one of doubt, finding the object unimpressive and the story of its acquisition unconvincing. Nuclear physicist Dr. Varta identified the object as a component from a nuclear reactor, explaining that pure magnesium is required for its function, and noted that the analyzed sample contained impurities like iron. The article questions the contactee's motives, suggesting the desire for a sensation to boost a congress on UFOs, and posits that the 'wand' was likely obtained before the reactor became radioactive.

Dowsing and UFOs

The magazine defines 'close encounters' as per J. Allen Hynek's classification, where UFOs are observed within 150 meters. It outlines Hynek's three types of close encounters and the subsequent additions by other UFOlogists. The film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' is discussed, noting its consultation with Hynek and its alleged impact on public perception of UFOs.

A significant portion is dedicated to 'Dowsing' (biophysical location), a practice traditionally used for finding water or minerals. The article details how, in 1978, dowsing practitioner A. I. Pluzhnikov proposed its use for investigating a UFO landing site near Sharapova Khutora, with results deemed satisfactory by UFOlogist F. Yu. Zigel. The magazine then offers strict guidelines for using dowsing in UFO investigations to avoid errors, emphasizing the need for multiple dowsers working independently and comparing their results.

Critiques and Bibliography

This section reviews current UFO literature. Books reviewed include V. Chernobrov's "Predictions of the Future," which contains a section on 'combat contacts' with UFOs, though the reviewer notes the inclusion of debunked stories and reliance on other authors. L. Burmistrova and O. Moroza's collection "Unidentified Flying Objects" is praised for its illustrations and content but criticized for lacking source citations.

Website and New Publications

An announcement is made about the relocation of the UFOs website to a cleaner, ad-free domain (http://www.ufou.f2s.com), with a plea to visitors to spread the word. A new book by M. Gerstein, titled "On the Other Side of UFOs," is mentioned, noting its extensive content and illustrations, with details on its publication to follow.

Miscellaneous Reports

Reports from FidoNet echo conferences are included, mentioning alleged traces of 'Bigfoot' and sightings of 'Nessie.'

A humorous and cynical message from a FidoNet user is shared, expressing a wish for a group called 'NANA' to be abducted and eaten by aliens as a service to humanity.

Nessie Sightings and Skepticism

Recent sensational photographs of the creature known as 'Nessie' in Loch Ness, Scotland, are presented. Photographer James Gray claims to have captured images of the creature's long neck and head. However, 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta' expresses skepticism, questioning the delay in publishing the photos and suggesting the 'sensation' was timed for the tourist season.

Italian volcanologist Luigi Piccardi dismisses Nessie as a product of local imagination fueled by volcanic activity and tectonic fault lines in the area, stating that observations have only revealed volcanic gas emissions.

Bigfoot Evidence in Canada

Fresh tracks attributed to 'Bigfoot' or 'Yeti' have been discovered in a Canadian Indian reservation in Ontario. The tracks are described as 35 centimeters long, and local residents have reported similar sightings over the past 20 years. A special expedition has been dispatched to investigate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical stance towards many UFO claims, often presenting skeptical analyses and questioning the evidence presented by contactees and researchers. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, the editorial approach leans towards rational explanations and scientific scrutiny. There is a clear emphasis on debunking hoaxes and separating credible reports from sensationalism. The publication also serves as a platform for reviewing UFO-related literature and disseminating news within the UFO community, including website updates and new book releases. The inclusion of diverse reports, from alleged alien artifacts to cryptid sightings, reflects a broad interest in the unexplained, tempered by a cautious and analytical editorial perspective.