UFODOS Bulletin

Magazine Overview

Title: UFODOS Bulletin
Issue: December 2008 (Tom 1, Vypusk 1)
Publisher: UFODOS
Country: Ukraine
Language: Russian (translated by Google)

This issue of the UFODOS Bulletin focuses on ufological activities and reports primarily from Ukraine and surrounding regions in late 2008. It covers a range of topics from local ufological club activities and specific sighting reports to broader discussions on government declassifications and the history of UFO research.

Crimean "Grandmothers" - orudiynyeceli

The article delves into the mysterious signs and figures found on the Crimean highlands of Karabi, which have long attracted attention. While local historians and scientists have compared them to Nazca desert images and even read divine meanings into them, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Hermann Herzen, dismisses alien explanations. He states that during his military service in 1948, the 'butterflies' were actually gun targets used for artillery range practice. The article notes that in the 1960s, following Gagarin's flight, there was a surge of interest in space and extraterrestrial civilizations in Crimea, leading people to search for such traces everywhere.

UFOBUA Continues to Work

This section reports on the activities of the UFOBUA archive in Ukraine. In 2008, over 20 UFO reports from Ukraine, particularly Kyiv and Crimea, were added to the archive. The main observations occurred in spring and early summer. The article also mentions receiving a dozen new UFO photos from Ukraine, but notes that most were identified as fakes by experts. It highlights that while digital technology has improved UFO photography, many images are simply spots and glare, with few genuine cases remaining.

NLO KGB and SBU: Governments Reveal Their Secrets About UFOs

This article discusses the declassification of UFO-related documents by governments. The British Ministry of Defense released 19 files, with more planned, and France also shared its secrets. However, the bulletin notes that these declassified materials, which include interrogations and testimonies, have not yet yielded valuable data for understanding the UFO phenomenon. An example is given of a letter describing childhood contacts with green creatures and an attempted alien-government meeting thwarted by another alien race. The popularity of accessing such archives online is highlighted, with the French and British sites receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors. Ukrainian ufologist Maxim Kozy believes that governments will never reveal the whole truth about interplanetary contacts. Ukrainian special services, represented by Sergei Kokin of the SBU archives, claim to have no documents regarding extraordinary situations that could be of extraterrestrial origin, though he admits such documents might exist in other departments but have not been purposefully examined as UFOs are not considered a threat to Ukraine. A former CIA member suggests that governments sometimes release such information to distract the public from more important issues.

UFOLOGICAL LITERATURE

This section provides an overview of ufological literature and concepts. It clarifies that ufology studies unidentified flying objects, not aliens themselves. It mentions various hypotheses about UFO origins, including the idea that they might be time machines from our descendants. The first known UFO photograph, taken by Jose Bonilla in 1883, is mentioned, along with the catalog of observed UFO forms. The article touches upon the historical classification of UFOs by Pliny the Elder and the UN's recognition of the UFO problem in 1967. It explains the origin of the term 'UFO' and its adoption in ufology. The existence of related phenomena like meadow circles and contactees is noted. The article also discusses ufophobia, the fear of UFOs, and corrects the term 'UFO observer' to 'eyewitness'. The UFOCAT database, a large repository of UFO messages, is mentioned. It suggests that UFO activity correlates with astronomical phenomena. The term 'contactor' is defined for individuals who communicate telepathically with extraterrestrials. The hypothesis of panspermia and Carl Jung's work on UFOs are also referenced.

UFO Photography in Ukraine

This brief note mentions that UFO photography in Ukraine has increased due to digital technology, but unfortunately, many photos are of poor quality, showing spots and glare. It concludes that there are still few clear images.

Yalta UFO Sighting

A resident of Yalta, Osmanov, reported observing UFOs for several days and filming them. The UFOs appeared as two stars but, under magnification (x500), showed characteristics of 'plates' with possible superstructures. The eyewitness provided regular updates via telephone. The article notes that Jupiter and Venus are sometimes mistaken for UFOs, but these stars behave differently. A comprehensive analysis of the video is promised.

Vamzaplatit (You Will Be Paid)

This short piece advertises a "UFO Abduction Insurance Company" that opened in Sevastopol, offering policies for ten million dollars. The contract reportedly pays out if the policyholder is abducted by aliens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently highlights the active ufological community in Ukraine, particularly through the UFODOS club and the UFOBUA archive. There's a recurring theme of skepticism towards sensational claims, as seen in the Karabi case, and a critical approach to photographic evidence, with many being dismissed as fakes. The issue also emphasizes the role of government declassifications in UFO research, while noting their current limitations. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, acknowledging both genuine mysteries and the need for critical analysis, while also promoting ufological literature and community engagement. The bulletin encourages experimentation and new discoveries in the field.