UFO Navigator - No 045 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NAVIGATOR
Issue: No. 45 (0045)
Date: November 2002
Publisher: Russian Ufological Digest

Main Topics of the Issue

The issue highlights several key themes: an "SCI-FI CHANNEL" campaign questioning what was found at Roswell, initial official data on the "Vitim Bolide," and what is described as the "Greatest Deception in the History of Petersburg Ufology."

News Section

This section provides a rapid-fire update on various ufological events globally:

• Vitim Bolide: A brief mention of its reappearance.
• Moscow Conference Report (Conclusion): Details from a conference on ufology and bioenergetic information at the turn of the century.
• Abductions in the USA: A question is posed about the number of abductions.
• Chile: UFO landing site cordoned off by military.
• US Military: US military aircraft pursued a UFO.
• Rendlesham Case: A question about the truth behind the Rendlesham incident.
• Turkey: Another ufological scandal.
• Superhacker: A hacker sought secrets about UFOs in the Pentagon's computers.
• South America: Mass sightings reported.
• Europe: Two sightings reported on October 27th.
• Space News: Updates on space-related events.
• Following Our Publications: A section dedicated to follow-ups on previous articles.

Report from the Moscow Conference (Conclusion)

The conference "Ufology and Bioenergetic Information at the Turn of the Century" (October 26-27, 2002) was attended by Mikhail Gershtein, editor of "UFO Navigator." The report details the events of October 27th, describing attendees gathering at the Institute of Microeconomics amidst a light snow. Books on ufology and alternative health were available, though limited.

Alexander Burenin's Report: Burenin presented on "Ufological Expedition to the Tula Region," which investigated energetic formations and their influence on the human organism. Evidence included changes in participants' auras and measurements of chakras before and after contact, with peak activity observed between midnight and 2 AM. Burenin showed photographs, which the reporter identified as dust or water droplets outside the lens, illuminated by the flash, a claim Burenin disagreed with. This "dust" theory was also proposed by ufologist Yuri Simakov.

V. S. Vasiliev's Report: The most interesting presentation of the second day was by V. S. Vasiliev on "The Twilight of Ufology." As an employee of the Institute of USA and Canada, Vasiliev was familiar with Western ufological literature. He posited that individuals with superior knowledge of UFOs, likely scientists and officials involved in government programs, had developed disinformation strategies to conceal vital information. He cited Philip Corso's book "The Day After Roswell" as an example of this manufactured sensationalism. Vasiliev argued that ufologists' focus on whether UFOs exist diverted attention from more crucial issues like establishing two-way contact. He suggested this was a deliberate plan by American disinformation specialists.

The event also included an award ceremony for Vladimir Georgievich's 75th birthday, with numerous certificates and gifts presented. Among those awarded were Tatiana Syrchenko, Viktor Utenkov, Viktor Zlobin, and Gennady Lisov.

And Again, the Vitim Bolide

On November 10, 2002, the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics and Irkutsk State University released a press release about the Vitim bolide. A joint expedition concluded that on the night of September 24-25, 2002, an exceptionally bright bolide was observed over the Irkutsk region. Despite low cloud cover, witnesses reported seeing a ball with a tail, and the object's flight was observed over many kilometers. The explosion was described as very powerful, with a shockwave felt up to 30-50 km away. Initial estimates of the epicenter were inaccurate. The expedition found sheared-off tree tops, but no signs of fire or impact craters. The press release noted inaccuracies in media reports regarding the expedition's resources and findings.

An expedition correspondent suggested a large-scale summer expedition to find fragments and a potential crater. It is estimated that a large meteor weighing 50-100 tons entered Earth's atmosphere. The size of the bolide could have ranged from 15 to 30 meters in diameter, with a potential crater size of up to 150 meters. The explosion's power was estimated at 3-4 kilotons.

How Many Abducted in the USA?

The "Sci-Fi Channel" launched a campaign promoting UFOs and abductions, including the mini-series "Taken." The channel also sponsored a ufological conference in New York and commissioned a poll by the Roper Institute. The poll indicated that approximately 2.9 million Americans experienced symptoms typical of abductees, such as paralysis, feeling of presence, flying sensations, unexplained scars, unusual lights, and missing time.

While ufologists generally view the channel's activities positively, some, like Steven Greer of the "Disclosure Project," believe the campaign aims to confuse researchers and that "false abductions" are a product of military and intelligence services.

"Sci-Fi Channel" also organized excavations at the alleged "Roswell UFO crash site." A program titled "Roswell Crash: Stunning New Evidence" was aired, but the actual UFO crash evidence occupied only about ten minutes of the two-hour film. The excavated fragments were to be studied in a laboratory.

Recently, Frank Kaufmann, a key "Roswell witness," was exposed as a fraud. Brad Sparks published an article on the Center for Ufological Research website detailing how Kaufmann had forged "military documents" about the UFO crash. These forgeries were found after his death and showed signs of crude alteration. Furthermore, some agencies mentioned in the forged documents did not exist in 1947.

Chile: UFO Landing Site Cordoned Off by Military

In a desert area near Angol, Chile, a 30-meter diameter scorched circle was discovered, exhibiting high radiation levels. Military units cordoned off the area. The circle, believed to have appeared in September, contained burnt tree stumps and a white substance. Patches of unburnt grass suggested something had rested there. Snow refused to cover the area. The incident was reported by "Terra.Cl."

American Military Aircraft Pursued a UFO

On November 28th, NORAD reported that fighter jets attempted to intercept an unidentified flying object leaving an inversion trail high in the sky over the United States. The object escaped unidentified. The trail was first spotted over the Turks and Caicos Islands. NORAD confirmed receiving reports of the trail moving towards the US and scrambled fighter jets. However, the object's origin remained unknown, and radar did not detect it. NORAD is investigating.

Truth About the Rendlesham Incident?

The British Ministry of Defence declassified documents related to the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident, a famous "third kind contact" case. Witnesses, including RAF and US Air Force personnel, reported seeing a glowing object described as metallic, triangular, and emitting lights. The object maneuvered through trees and disappeared. Animals nearby became agitated. The next day, ground indentations and tree damage were found. The object reappeared later, described as a "red fire, resembling the sun," which split into four white objects. Three star-like objects were then seen in the sky. Radar detected nothing during the two nights. One theory suggested the witnesses saw the Orford Ness lighthouse beam, distorted by foliage, but this was deemed unlikely.

Mass Sightings in South America

• Colombia: On October 25th, thousands in Bucaramanga witnessed "strange flashes of light" and a squadron of UFOs flying slowly over the mountains.
• Brazil: On November 1st, a silver cigar-shaped object was seen over Gravataí, Cachoeirinha, and Canoas. On the same day, a silver UFO appeared over Praia do Cassino, described as cigar-shaped and without wings.
• Uruguay: On November 2nd, a V-shaped object with two white lights was observed near Laguna del Sauce. Later, several cows were found with unusual injuries and removed brains.
• Brazil: On November 18th, a UFO was filmed over Casimiro de Abreu.

Europe: Two Sightings on October 27th

• Italy: Near Milan, ufologist Roberto Malini and two companions observed three disk-shaped UFOs flying in formation. Two disappeared, while the third hovered, rotating, before ascending vertically.
• France: Near Dijon, a family observed an orange, internally lit sphere moving silently. The woman felt there was someone inside the object.

Space News

• Meteorite in Estonia: A large meteorite fell into the sea near Saaremaa island, emitting a bright light that illuminated the entire island.
• Galileo Probe: The Galileo probe passed by Amalthea, a moon of Jupiter, but is experiencing communication issues due to radiation.
• Russian Launches: In October, Russia conducted three successful launches, including the "Photon-M" satellite and the "Integral" astronomical satellite.

Following Our Publications

NASA, after refusing to prove the moon landings, has led European astronomers to use the VLT telescope to photograph the "Apollo" landing modules on the Moon. However, conspiracy theorists like Marcus Allen of "Nexus" magazine claim the images won't prove the landings, suggesting robots could have been used and that space radiation is lethal to humans.

A TV program on ORT discussed the "Aljoshenka" humanoid case, with ufologists and relatives presenting evidence, while doctors concluded it was a premature infant. Genetic analysis is pending.

Reports from the Field

• Ufa, Russia: A luminous green band, estimated to be 500 meters long and 50 meters wide, was observed. The object was described as a glowing band, not affected by wind, and periodically disappearing behind low clouds.
• Ulan-Ude, Russia: Green spheres were observed in the sky, with intermittent red lights between them. These sightings triggered electronic alarms at local businesses. The object was described as unusually large and stationary.

UFOs over Crimea?

Recent reports from international ufological mailing lists indicate an increase in UFO sightings over Crimea.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (Volume 9, Issue 24-bis, dated December 1997) is a Russian-language publication focusing on UFO sightings, anomalous phenomena, and related research. The magazine features a mix of contemporary reports and historical accounts, alongside theoretical discussions and reviews.

Recent Sightings and Reports

The issue begins with recent reports from Crimea in October and November 2002. The first, from October 7th, describes a disk-shaped object approximately 50 meters in diameter observed hovering at an altitude of 2-3 km by a witness named Viktor Zdorov. The object's upper part resembled a conical hat, with segments on the lower part. The second report, from November 18th, details a bright object observed over eastern Crimea in the early morning, which was several times larger than Venus and faded away quickly. The magazine notes that local residents in Crimea are accustomed to UFO sightings and that the press often doesn't publish them.

Historical Accounts and Case Studies

The issue presents several historical accounts, including:

• Sauel, Estonia (1984): A witness named Weiner Silvi reported seeing a white ball with a hum over Leningrad in late November or early December 1984. The object emitted a bright light and a humming sound.
• Leningrad (1985): On December 1st, between 15:30 and 16:15, a witness observed a bright white ball with a halo-like shape, accompanied by a humming sound, moving slowly across the sky.
• Belgium (1989): A series of reports from late November and early December 1989 details sightings of triangular "platforms" with powerful spotlights and orange lights. Police officers in Kettenis observed such an object. In Eupen, many people reported seeing similar objects, some described as rectangular with illuminating windows. The objects were pursued by police and observed hovering for extended periods. Radar stations did not detect these phenomena.
• St. Petersburg (1997): On November 20th, a pensioner named Faina Pavlovna Zimina reported seeing two "candles" or "capsules" in the sky, which glowed bright yellow and were positioned parallel to each other. One of the objects tilted and moved horizontally, followed by the other. A student also witnessed the objects.

Psychological and Theoretical Perspectives

An article titled "Investigation" by Joel Greenberg explores the idea that "abductions" (people being taken aboard UFOs) might be linked to hallucinations induced by drugs or near-death experiences. Psychologist H. Kent Newman discusses a case involving a 16-year-old named Jim who reported an encounter with a UFO and subsequent nightmares. Newman suggests that while Jim may have genuinely experienced these events, their reality as physical phenomena is uncertain.

Professor Elvin H. Lawson's research is presented, comparing accounts from individuals who claim to have been abducted by UFOs with those who experienced drug-induced hallucinations or near-death experiences. Lawson found striking similarities in the descriptions, suggesting a common mental matrix for these phenomena. He notes that while the experiences may not be physically real, the psychological impact is significant. The article also touches upon geophysical theories, such as those proposed by M. A. Persinger, linking UFO sightings to tectonic pressures and electromagnetic fields.

Animals and UFOs

A section dedicated to "Animals and UFOs" discusses how animals, particularly domestic animals and dogs, react to UFOs. It is suggested that animals can sense UFOs before humans and often exhibit signs of distress, fear, or unusual behavior. The article mentions theories involving electromagnetic fields and infrasound as potential causes for these reactions. It also recounts instances of animals being harmed or killed in connection with UFO sightings, including alleged "cattle mutilations."

Special Sections

• "Jitkur": This section debunks rumors about a secret Russian military base (similar to Area 51) in the Volgograd region where crashed UFOs were supposedly stored. An expedition found the settlement abandoned with no evidence of military installations or UFOs.
• Critique and Bibliography: This section provides reviews of recent UFO and cryptozoology literature. Books reviewed include "Catalog of Monsters" by Grigory Panchenko and "Loch Ness and Lake Monsters" by Nikolai Nepomnyashchy. The reviews offer critical assessments of the content, accuracy, and originality of these works.
• Announcements: The issue includes announcements for new websites related to the Tunguska and Vitim meteorites.
• Miscellaneous: Brief reports on alleged pterodactyl sightings in China and the appearance of Jesus Christ's image on a flatbread in India are included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, presenting a wide range of UFO sightings, from recent events to historical cases. It attempts to provide a platform for witnesses and researchers, while also critically examining the evidence and exploring psychological and theoretical explanations. The editorial stance appears to be open to the possibility of genuine UFO phenomena but also cautious about distinguishing between reality, imagination, and misinterpretation. The magazine encourages reader participation through letters and submissions, as indicated by the inclusion of letters and translated articles.

This document is a scanned page from the magazine "UFO", issue number 4, from the year 2002. The publication date is December 4, 2002. The content is in Russian and was compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein from Saint Petersburg.

Main Article: The Miracle of the Burnt Bread

The central story details an event that occurred on November 8, 2002. A Christian woman named Shila Antoni returned home after her Friday prayers and began preparing flatbreads for her children. After the children ate most of the flatbreads, Antoni noticed one piece was too burnt. Upon closer inspection, she discovered a familiar image on the burnt side, which she identified as Jesus.

An excited Antoni showed the flatbread to her daughters and neighbors, who confirmed that the image indeed resembled Jesus. She shared her experience with "The Times of India" newspaper in an interview dated November 14, 2002.

The priest of the church Antoni attended before this divine image appeared, Georg Jacob, also confirmed the event, calling it a miracle. He placed the "holy flatbread" in a reliquary in the middle of the church for public viewing. The article notes that this attracted many visitors, with people traveling from as far as Madras and Mysore.

The author of the article expresses a personal opinion that this "miracle" seems rather minor compared to historical accounts of more extraordinary events, such as people walking on water, resurrecting the dead with a word, flying, or incinerating enemies with fire from the sky.

Publication Details

The issue was completed at 2 AM on December 4, 2002.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on unusual phenomena, including religious miracles and historical accounts of extraordinary events. The editorial stance, as expressed by the author's commentary on the "holy flatbread" incident, suggests a critical or at least a comparative perspective, valuing more dramatic or historically significant accounts over what is perceived as a minor modern event. The inclusion of details about the publication process and the compiler indicates a standard editorial structure for such publications.