UFO Review - 1990 01

Magazine Overview

This is the first issue of "UFO-Review," a Soviet-published magazine dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), also referred to as Anomalous Phenomena (AP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO). Published in May 1990, this special edition aims to bridge the gap in public information and encourage scientific inquiry into these phenomena. The magazine asserts that evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence on Earth is abundant and that a new phase of intensive UFO study is necessary.

Key Articles and Features

"Them and Us" (Они и Мы)

The lead article, "Them and Us," discusses the long history of UFO research abroad and the more recent, often interrupted, efforts in the USSR. It highlights recent evidence, including a radar photograph of a UFO on March 28, 1990, demonstrating extreme speed (up to 6 km/s), maneuverability, and intelligent behavior. Another recent report from Gorky on March 25, 1990, details a UFO takeoff from a construction site, with biolocation operators confirming an "impact site" and potential chemical anomalies in the soil. The article references the "UFO Encyclopedia" edited by Ronald Story, noting that even after years of study, the physical nature of UFOs remains poorly understood. It argues that understanding advanced technology requires a sequential approach, akin to a layperson understanding a computer. The term UFO, originating in the USA, is explained, along with its Russian equivalents НЛО (NLO) and АЯ (AP). The magazine pledges to use all three terms, favoring the original UFO.

The authors suggest it's time to re-evaluate the approach to UFOs, stating that sufficient evidence exists for the presence of other intelligences on Earth. They mention the availability of factual material from various Soviet scientific and engineering bodies. The article emphasizes the need for public awareness regarding the steps being taken in UFO research, especially to achieve official recognition from national academies and governments.

General-Colonel Acknowledges UFOs

A significant piece reports that General-Colonel I. Maltsev, Chief of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces of the USSR, acknowledged the appearance of UFOs near Moscow in an interview with "Rabochaya Tribuna" on April 19, 1990. The UFOs were observed flying over the areas of Pereslavl-Zalessky, Zagorsk, Fryazino, and Kirzhach on the evening of March 21. The object was described by eyewitnesses as a disk 100-200 meters in diameter with two pulsating lights. It exhibited unusual flight characteristics, including horizontal and vertical movements, rotation on its axis, zigzagging trajectories, hovering, and speeds significantly exceeding those of modern fighter jets. Its altitude ranged from 1000 to 7000 meters, and it was detected on radar as a target. The silent flight and sharp maneuvers suggested a lack of inertia, capabilities beyond current human technology. This statement is considered highly significant as it marks the first time a high-ranking Soviet military official has publicly admitted the existence of UFOs and their extraordinary properties.

"Miracles? Well, How Wonderful..." (ЧУДЕСА? НУ, И ЧУДЕСНО...)

This section announces the upcoming first issue of the almanac "Anomalous Phenomena" (Аномальные явления), to be published monthly in Tallinn, Estonia. The almanac will cover AP facts in Estonia and beyond, their reflection in science, culture, religion, and politics, and delve into the history of unusual phenomena. The first issue will include a chronicle of Estonian anomalous events from the previous year, information on Soviet ufologist conferences, material on poltergeists, and reflections by astronaut Mitchell. It will also begin serializing V. Bitner's book "Into the Realm of the Mysterious," originally published in St. Petersburg in 1907. The almanac also features an article on the art group "Amaravella" and includes a color insert of their work. The editorial address for submissions is provided.

"From the Mail of the AP Commission" (ИЗ ПОЧТЫ КОМИССИИ ПО АЯ)

A letter from an officer of a military unit recounts a peculiar "contact" experience. While on duty, he heard a command to stop and discovered he was about to step into an open sewer manhole. The next morning, he found a thick metal rod with a screw thread inside the manhole, suggesting he would have been impaled had he fallen.

"I Am Being Taken Away" (МЕНЯ УВОЗЯТ)

This article focuses on "third kind" contact experiences, detailing cases of direct interaction between humans and UFOs. It recounts the experience of Galya Faizov, a pipeline inspector, who saw a glowing disk descend with two beams of light that affected electrical equipment and briefly lifted him off the ground. Another account from a resident of Krasnodar Krai, M. Ivanova, describes a light beam entering her room, causing her husband to fall and resulting in a three-hour period of lost time. The article notes the similarity of these accounts, despite the witnesses being strangers living in different regions. It also mentions a case in Kabardino-Balkaria where a 16-year-old girl, Natasha Baranova, was affected by a beam of light, feeling a voice and being enveloped in a glowing net, leaving burns on her arm. The article cites researcher B. Hopkins's database of over 400 similar testimonies. It also references the case of Sergeant Ch. Moody, who described alien beings with large skulls and no visible lips. The article discusses the international research group "Visit," which studies such cases, and notes that many abductees report faint scars and consistent details under hypnosis, including the use of light beams and a sense of helplessness and time distortion.

However, the article also presents an alternative scientific perspective from A. Pugach, a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, who suggests that these experiences might be psychological phenomena occurring in geopathogenic zones under the influence of anomalous geophysical fields. He posits that while the experiences might not be real physical encounters, the consistency of descriptions among different witnesses suggests that the fields carrying these visions might impart specific information, implying an underlying intelligence. The article concludes that regardless of whether the phenomena are material or psychological, the problem of third-kind contacts remains.

"Oppenheimer Recited the Mahabharata" (ОППЕНГЕЙМЕР ДЕКЛАМИРОВАЛ МАХАБХАРАТУ)

This piece, authored by Igor Lisevich, a Doctor of Philological Sciences, explores the historical evidence for extraterrestrial contact. Lisevich cites a medieval Chinese story about a historian who witnessed a powerful, moving beam of light emanating from behind three individuals emerging from a forest. He argues that such phenomena, along with accounts in ancient religious texts like the "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana," suggest a history of contact with advanced civilizations. Lisevich draws a parallel between the destructive power described in these ancient texts (referencing Oppenheimer's quote about the atomic bomb) and the potentially malevolent nature of some extraterrestrial visitors. He notes that modern contactees often report deception and memory erasure, similar to the classic Betty and Barney Hill case. Lisevich speculates that the interest of these extraterrestrial entities (ETs) lies in individual human lives rather than society as a whole and predicts continued individual, one-sided contacts. He personally expresses reservations about the usefulness of any contact for humanity.

"Flights on Vimanas" (ПОЛЕТЫ НА ВИМАНАХ)

This extensive article, written by Rostislav Furduy, a Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, delves into the historical evidence for advanced flying machines, known as "vimanas," described in ancient Indian texts. It begins with an account of a demonstration flight by Bapuji Talpade in 1895 near Bombay, using a machine reportedly based on ancient Indian manuscripts like the "Vimanika Shastra." The article details the construction and flight of Talpade's machine, which was later sold to an English firm. The author then discusses Professor D. K. Kanjilal's research, which identified around 20 ancient Indian texts describing flying machines. These texts, dating back as far as 6000 BCE, are described as encyclopedic, containing information on astronomy, metallurgy, and medicine. Specific descriptions from the "Rigveda," "Yajurveda," and "Atharvaveda" are cited, detailing "air chariots" with triangular shapes, wings, and propulsion systems involving liquids like mercury. The article mentions the "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana," which describe vimanas used by gods and mortals for travel, warfare, and interplanetary journeys. The "Vimanika Shastra" is presented as a technical manual detailing 32 secrets of vimana operation, including invisibility and size alteration. The article also references the "Samarangana Sutradhara," which describes four types of vimanas and their components, including devices resembling radar and solar energy collectors. Despite the lack of physical evidence, the article concludes that the detailed and consistent descriptions in these ancient texts warrant serious consideration, suggesting that "gods" mentioned in these texts were likely representatives of an extraterrestrial civilization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "UFO-Review" adopts a clear stance: UFOs are real phenomena, and their study is of paramount importance. It advocates for a shift from merely proving the existence of UFOs to actively researching their nature and implications. The publication aims to be a platform for disseminating information, fostering scientific investigation, and raising public awareness. Recurring themes include the high-speed and advanced capabilities of UFOs, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, the historical evidence for advanced ancient technology (vimanas), and the psychological aspects of alleged contact experiences. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging contributions from researchers and the public while critically examining evidence and theories.