UFO Navigator - No 068 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Navigator
Subtitle: Russian Ufological Digest
Issue: No. 68 (0068)
Date: December 2003

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into various unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on the mysterious lights observed over Lake Ladoga on March 28, 2003. It also explores cutting-edge military technologies, space exploration news, and historical anomalous events.

Main Articles

The Ladoga Lights: Mystery Solved?

The lead article investigates the March 28, 2003, sighting of lights over Lake Ladoga, which was captured on multiple video recordings. The analysis, involving journalists and members of the Geographical Society, initially struggled with pinpointing the objects' location due to issues like magnetic declination. However, new information from autumn expeditions helped refine the calculations. Witnesses reported seeing multiple colored balls of light. The article meticulously analyzes video footage, calculating the objects' speed and descent rate, comparing them to atmospheric phenomena and suggesting they moved at speeds comparable to strong winds. The authors propose that each light was a self-contained object, possibly related to military exercises, likening their behavior to illumination bombs dropped from aircraft. They cite anecdotal evidence from local fishermen and a newspaper article that suggested the lights were part of training exercises by pilots from the Gromov Flight Research Institute. The article concludes by noting that official confirmation from military sources is still pending.

Holographic and Infrasound Weapons: Realities of the 21st Century

This section explores the development and potential use of advanced, non-lethal weaponry. It discusses new holographic projection technology being developed by the US, capable of creating virtual battlefield scenarios. The article references reports of tests in the 1990s and the potential for projecting images of historical or religious figures to demoralize enemy forces. It also touches upon the use of 'Mitralux' projectors by the US military during the Vietnam War and a reported incident in Cuba where an image of the Virgin Mary was projected, allegedly from a submarine. The article further details the development of infrasound weapons, which can induce fear and psychological distress, and in extreme cases, cause internal organ damage. It notes that Russia has mobile infrasound generators, but the US is considered to be far ahead in this technology.

False Moon or False Film?

This article addresses the persistent claims that the Apollo moon landings were faked. It discusses a Canadian TV program, "Dark Side of the Moon," which featured interviews suggesting that the lunar landing footage was filmed in Hollywood. The article points out that the film's creators admitted their intention was to entertain and encourage viewers to question what they see, using manipulated interviews and sound. It criticizes some media outlets for reporting these claims as factual revelations.

'Ice Falls': A Natural Phenomenon?

The article examines the phenomenon of large ice balls falling from the sky, termed 'megacryometeors' by scientists. These events are suggested to be a potential consequence of global warming, with ice balls causing damage to property. The research indicates these are not from aircraft or comets, but rather resemble large hailstones. However, the article notes that such events have been reported historically, predating modern global warming concerns.

The Tunguska Meteorite: A New Hypothesis

A Polish ufologist proposes that the Tunguska event was not a meteorite impact but the explosion of an ancient orbital weapon left by the Atlantean civilization. The hypothesis suggests that Atlanteans possessed advanced technology and engaged in a devastating war, leaving behind remnants of their weaponry in space, some of which may have fallen to Earth and exploded, causing the Tunguska event.

The 'Black Triangle' and Luminous Square in Pennsylvania

This brief report mentions two separate sightings: one of a stationary, luminous rectangular object and another of a black triangular craft with lights, observed in the US.

The ISS 'Knock': Could Not Catch the 'Knocker'

This section details an incident where astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) heard a loud noise resembling something hitting the hull. Investigations by both Russian and American flight control centers found no damage or malfunctions. Despite reassurances from NASA, some specialists express concern that the unexplained noise could be a precursor to future problems.

Space News

Updates are provided on several space missions:

• Stardust: The probe is nearing its encounter with comet Wild-2, with trajectory corrections being made for a close flyby.
• Cassini: The probe continues its journey to Saturn, sending back images of the planet.
• Mars Exploration Rovers: The 'Spirit' and 'Opportunity' rovers are preparing for their landing on Mars, with detailed descriptions of the complex landing sequence.
• Mars Express: The European Space Agency's probe has taken its first close-up image of Mars and is scheduled to enter orbit.
• Nozomi: The Japanese Mars probe has been declared lost due to communication failures and an inability to achieve its planned orbit.
• Russian Launches: A summary of recent Russian space launches, including Soyuz, Service-1, Yamal-200, and GLONASS navigation satellites.

Following Up on Our Publications

This section includes a letter from a ufologist clarifying previous articles about UFOs in the Sverdlovsk region, addressing the use of the term 'icy' to describe a UFO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, often linking them to potential military activities or advanced technologies. There's a recurring theme of questioning official explanations and seeking alternative hypotheses for anomalous events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs and related mysteries, presenting various theories and witness accounts for the reader to consider. The publication also shows a keen interest in the intersection of military advancements and potential extraterrestrial or anomalous phenomena.

This issue of "UFO Navigator" (March 2003) features a collection of articles and reports on anomalous phenomena, primarily focusing on UFO sightings and related folklore. The magazine presents a mix of investigative journalism, witness testimonies, and analysis of historical accounts.

Anomalous Zone of Tagil Pond and "Night Guests"

The issue begins with a reflection on an article about a supposed "Anomalous Zone of Tagil Pond." The author, after re-examining the evidence, concludes that the reported "flying saucer" sighting was a mere coincidence and that no anomalous zone exists. However, the article then transitions to a detailed account of "Night Guests" in Nizhny Tagil, prepared by Dmitry Volobuev. This section describes the experiences of a woman named Marina, who, before the age of 18, had recurring dreams of "black figures" entering her room. These figures, described as thin and about 1.5 meters tall, would enter through windows and balconies, accompanied by bright light. Marina would experience paralysis, loss of voice, and a strange lack of fear. The figures communicated telepathically, making demands and eventually claiming her parents were not her real parents and she needed to return to her "homeland." Marina consistently refused these demands, leading to threats and eventually a sixth encounter where the beings agreed to leave her alone but warned they would return on the "last day of her life."

Volobuev, a representative of the Sverdlovsk UFO group "Stalker," vouches for Marina's credibility, stating she has no history of mental disorders and that her account is real.

Third Kind Contact in France

The magazine then reports on a "Third Kind Contact in France," detailing an encounter experienced by Cesar Locatelli, a 73-year-old man. In June 1986, while searching for a wild bee swarm near Ilay and Menetrux, Locatelli discovered a transparent, glowing object, about 8-9 meters in diameter, resembling a child's spinning top. The object was composed of sections connected by seams, resembling parallels and meridians on a map. Inside, he observed six beings, 1.5-1.6 meters tall, wearing wide, long white robes and hoods that concealed their faces. They were gathered around a table. Locatelli's car stalled briefly, and he heard a humming sound. The beings seemed unfazed by his presence. One being moved aside, revealing long, fair hair. Locatelli, frightened, drove away. He returned later that morning but found the object gone, with only flattened grass near a large boulder as evidence.

"Fiery Snakes" from a Ufological and Vampirological Perspective

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an investigation by Mikhail Gerstein into the phenomenon of "fiery snakes," exploring its connections to folklore, vampirism, and UFOs. Gerstein notes that stories of "fiery snakes" are widespread across various cultures, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, where they are sometimes linked to vampirism. He cites ethnographic research by L. N. Vinogradova and E. E. Levkievskaya, who connect the motif of sexual relations with demonic beings, including "fiery snakes" and vampires, to women's physical and mental decline. These beings are often described as entering homes, appearing as fiery balls or sheaves, and sometimes described as sucking blood or milk. The folklore suggests that these entities may not engage in physical intercourse but rather exert a draining influence.

Gerstein presents numerous witness testimonies from different regions of Russia (Vyatka, Arkhangelsk, Sverdlovsk, Riazan, Vladimir, and others) and Kazakhstan, dating from the late 19th century to the early 2000s. These accounts describe luminous, fiery objects, often compared to "flaming sheaves" or "fiery balls," that appear at night, sometimes near cemeteries or houses, particularly those of widows or women mourning deceased husbands. The objects are described as moving silently, emitting sparks, and sometimes entering chimneys or even the ground. Some accounts mention the objects having a tail-like appendage and changing shape. In some cases, the "fiery snake" is said to transform into a child or a deceased loved one.

One testimony from the 1920s describes a "fiery ball" entering a house's chimney, and upon investigation, the woman found her deceased husband's footprints, and later, horse hooves instead of feet. Another account from 1949 describes a "snake" resembling a car headlight. A witness from 1961 describes a phosphorescent, ellipsoid object that entered a chimney. A 1970 account from near Perm describes a "fiery snake" landing in a field and a fiery light emerging from it. More recent accounts include a sighting in 2001 of a "fiery snake" over a village and a 1998 sighting of a bright, fiery object resembling a "sheaf" that landed near a tree.

Gerstein highlights the similarities between these "fiery snake" accounts and UFO sightings, noting that ethnographers have observed this connection. He also mentions that "fiery snakes" sometimes appear alongside "ordinary UFOs."

Calendar of Events

The issue includes a calendar section with brief mentions of UFO sightings:

• December 19, 1981: A "green light" or beam observed over the Novosibirsk region.
• December 1990: Anomalous events in the village of Sofievka.
• 1991: Two sightings in Kazakhstan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, close encounters, and the intersection of folklore with paranormal phenomena. The magazine appears to take a serious approach to investigating these reports, presenting detailed witness testimonies and attempting to find rational or scientific explanations, while also acknowledging the mysterious and unexplained aspects. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional understanding, particularly in the context of "fiery snakes" and their folkloric interpretations.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue Date: November 2003 (N 8-9)
Publisher: null
Country: Russia
Language: Russian

This issue of "UFO Navigator" delves into a variety of UFO-related phenomena, anomalous events, and the emergence of new cults and pseudoreligious movements in Russia. It also includes reviews of relevant books and bulletins, and discusses the changing publication schedule of the magazine itself.

Personal Accounts and Sightings

The issue begins with a firsthand account from a driver who encountered a car-like object that turned out to be a glowing sphere with a single headlight. This object pursued him without sound, and he describes his fear and attempts to evade it. He later witnessed a larger, yellow sphere emerge from behind a hill, behaving erratically and moving at approximately 30 km/h.

Another significant personal account is from a driver in Aktübinsk, A. Lomkov, who reported seeing a similar object. Ufologist Scott Corrales is quoted, noting a tendency for UFOs to appear near cemeteries and distinguishing between UFOs and 'fireballs' or 'grave lights,' which are often attributed to phosphorescent hydrogen.

The magazine also references historical accounts, such as a report from the "New Oxford Item" newspaper in 1908 about a ghost transforming into a fireball.

The Korb-ozero Incident

A substantial portion of the issue is dedicated to the Korb-ozero incident, which occurred on April 27, 1961, in the Leningrad Oblast, Russia. A mysterious crater was discovered by forester V. M. Brodsky. The crater was described as approximately 27 meters long, over 15 meters wide, and 3 meters deep. Divers found the bottom covered with ejected earth and frozen turf. The ice in the water was tinged green, and traces on the bottom suggested a cylindrical object had moved along the bank and into the water.

Local residents reported hearing powerful, intermittent rumbling sounds from the direction of the lake two days after the event. Soil samples from the crater showed no chemical anomalies or unusual radioactivity. However, collected 'grains' were found to be of inorganic origin, resistant to strong acids, suggesting a high-temperature process.

The article details subsequent investigations into the Korb-ozero crater, including visits by ufologist Yu. M. Raytarovsky in 1970, an expedition led by candidate of physical and mathematical sciences E. S. Gorshkov in 1978, and a magnetometer survey in 1979 that found no anomalies. Tourist N. Kalashnikov visited in 1993 and noted the crater's natural overgrowth. He also found a stone that appeared to have undergone 'gigantic thermal processing,' with molten material expelled. Soil from the crater reportedly yielded an unprecedented harvest when used for growing ginseng.

UFOs in Military and Technology

The magazine touches upon military interest in UFO-like technology. American constructor Jack Jones is mentioned for inventing a controllable flying apparatus called "Geobat," which attracted the attention of the Pentagon. The article notes that while current developments are limited to управляемыми игрушками (remote-controlled toys), future possibilities exist.

Russian scientists are also presented as developing a "disk-shaped" reconnaissance vehicle for military use in Chechnya, described as a "mini-dirigible-invisible" with a saucer-like design. The article contrasts this with similar developments by the Pentagon, such as "cigarette-shaped dirigibles" for surveillance near Russian submarines.

New Cults and Pseudoreligious Movements

A significant section of the issue is dedicated to the rise of new religious and pseudoreligious organizations in Russia since the early 1990s. The article highlights groups such as the "Bazhov Academy of Esoteric Knowledge," the "Movement of God-lovers," the "Order of the Green Brotherhood of Akadanov," and the "Jiva-Khram Ingliya" movement.

The "Bazhov Academy," founded by "prophet" V. V. Sobolev, integrates Ural mythology with elements of Soviet ideology, referencing P. P. Bazhov's tales and figures like Lenin and Ermak. Sobolev predicted a third world war in 1996-97 and the second coming of Christ in 1999.

The "Ingliizm" religion, originating in Omsk, is described as having over 60 gods and goddesses and adhering to specific rules regarding marriage and appearance. The group "Vsevolod" believes that Lenin, Marx, and Engels have reincarnated and are solving Russia's problems, and they cooperate with communists.

The article suggests that many adherents of these new movements initially sought answers in the Russian Orthodox Church but found them lacking, leading them to embrace these alternative belief systems due to spiritual confusion, financial difficulties, and challenges adapting to the new socio-economic environment.

Book and Bulletin Reviews

The "UFO Navigator" issue includes reviews of recent publications. Marina Popovich's book, "UFOs Over Planet Earth," is praised for its publication of accounts from pilots and military personnel, though the reviewer notes Popovich's occasional gullibility regarding contactees. The review rates the book "+++++" (excellent, highly recommended).

The "Bulletin No. 3 of the Commission on Anomalous Phenomena" is reviewed as being more balanced and less scientifically questionable than previous issues. It features a report by E. P. Litvinov on a "systematic approach to selecting UFO material and assessing its reliability." The bulletin also includes reports on possible alien presence on the Moon and other planets, contacts in the "Molebka zone," and evidence of UFO crash retrievals.

Terminology and Concepts

The issue defines several terms relevant to ufology:

• "Cosmic Odyssey 2001": Refers to Stanley Kubrick's film, which satirizes UFO phenomena, contrasting with Arthur C. Clarke's novel where such themes are absent.
• "Cosmic Brothers": Describes benevolent extraterrestrial beings contacted by various individuals. The term is viewed with skepticism by researchers due to alleged deception and commercialism.
• "Cosmic Watergate": A term coined by ufologist Stanton Friedman, used to describe the potential political fallout if the government is found to have concealed information about UFOs.

Publication Information

An announcement states that "UFO Navigator" will transition to a monthly publication starting January 1, 2004, due to technical reasons. The numbering will reset to № 1, but the overall volume will be compensated by expanding certain sections. The issue concludes with a note that it was compiled and prepared by Mikhail Gerstein in Saint Petersburg, completed at 1 AM on December 16, 2003.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, anomalous phenomena, and their potential explanations, often drawing from personal accounts, historical incidents, and scientific investigations. There is a critical yet open-minded approach to the subject matter, with a particular interest in unexplained events like the Korb-ozero incident. The issue also highlights the growing influence of new religious movements and cults in Russia, often linking them thematically to paranormal beliefs and extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these topics, while also being cautious about unsubstantiated claims, particularly those involving contactees and commercialized spiritualism. The reviews of books and bulletins suggest an effort to critically assess the quality and scientific rigor of UFO-related research.