ВЕСТНИК ЛО "ФАКТ"

Magazine Overview

This issue of VESTNIK LO "FAKT" (Issue 1 (2), 1990) is a Russian-language publication from Leningrad, focusing on paranormal phenomena, UFOs, and unexplained events. The cover features a stylized text-based design with the title "ЗОНА, ОНА И ЕСТЬ ЗОНА..." (The Zone, It Is The Zone...). The issue contains several articles detailing personal accounts, scientific investigations, and anecdotal evidence related to these themes.

Article: The Zone, It Is The Zone...

This lengthy article details an experience in a place referred to as the 'Zone'. The narrator describes walking in darkness, the sounds of rain, and attempting to make contact with unknown entities. The narrative shifts to an encounter with three individuals who approach the narrator's group. These individuals express concern about the use of an 'electronic cannon', warning that it could affect two of their people who were attempting contact lower down. The narrator asserts their mission and the support of a larger group, creating a tense exchange.

The article then recounts the group's preparations for instrumental research. The conversation with the newcomers reveals their apprehension about the 'electronic cannon' and its potential effects. The narrator, in turn, challenges their assumptions and demands they leave the camp. The encounter concludes with a series of questions about the permitted use of equipment like flashlights and binoculars, leading to an apology from the newcomers who believed the group possessed an 'electronic cannon'.

The text also touches upon the concept of 'stalkers' and their activities in the 'Zone', including the use of photographic flashes to create 'orange' effects on film, which some interpret as 'probes'. The narrator reflects on the human need to find extraordinary explanations for ordinary phenomena, suggesting that easily observable effects can be misinterpreted as evidence of extraterrestrial contact.

Article: An Astronaut's Apple

This section discusses the widespread attention garnered by the story of Grigory Vasilievich K., who claims to have been abducted by beings in a silver disk. The article notes that scientists, particularly from Kyiv, have shown interest in his account. Grigory Vasilievich, a retired driver, is described as living a productive life, and his story has led to him being perceived as someone who brought 'health from space'. People reportedly seek him out for his perceived healing abilities, and he shares an apple from his garden, which he believes has been blessed.

The article details the investigation into Grigory Vasilievich's experience. Professor O. Goroshko and scientist Zoya Mitrofanovna Grechishnikova have concluded that the 'fact of the landing of a non-terrestrial object is evident'. Analysis of his clothing revealed unusual properties, and biolocation scans of the alleged landing site indicated an anomalous oval area. The scans also showed that the site did not resonate with common elements like uranium or gold, and its radioactivity was normal. Upon his return, Grigory Vasilievich began repeating phrases rapidly, which some interpreted as a prayer, leading to speculation about what 'aliens' might have taught him.

Article: A Walk to the UFO

This piece addresses the public reaction to a previous article titled "Guest From Another Planet". It mentions that while some readers, including university scientists, found the material interesting, others reacted with irritation, suggesting it was a distraction from real-world problems like empty stores. The author defends the exploration of the fantastic, advising those who dislike it to stop reading.

Article: On How It Is Dangerous to Herd Ducklings

This article recounts the strange disappearance and reappearance of Grigory Vasilievich's father. The father, Grigory Vasilievich, disappeared for three hours while his wife asked him to herd ducklings. He was found later, disheveled and disoriented, claiming to have been taken aboard a silver, disk-shaped craft by three beings (two men and a woman). He described the interior of the craft and the beings, noting that they communicated with him without spoken language. He also mentioned that his teeth were 'smeared' with a white paste that replaced food. Upon his return, he was found by his son, Alexander, who had been searching for him. The father's experience was investigated using biolocation, which confirmed an anomalous landing site.

Other Sections

• "TARELKA" OVER THE CITY?: A brief report about phone calls to the editorial office regarding a bright 'flying star' observed in the sky, with meteorologists stating nothing unusual was recorded.
• Reprinted Articles: Mentions the reprinting of articles from the newspaper "Dnepropetrovsk Evening" from December 7, 1989.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged alien contact, unexplained disappearances, and the scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting personal accounts and scientific findings, while also acknowledging skepticism and the potential for misinterpretation. The magazine aims to explore the 'fantastic' and the unexplained, encouraging readers to engage with these topics.

This document is issue number 1 (2) of the publication "ВЕСТНИК ЛО "ФАКТ"", dated 1990. The primary content of this issue is a comprehensive bibliography of literature related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and other anomalous phenomena that were published in the period of October to December 1989. The bibliography is extensive, listing 76 entries, each citing the author (if available), the title of the article, and the publication source (newspaper or magazine name, and date).

Literature List for October-December 1989

The core of the issue is the "Список литературы за октябрь-декабрь 1989 г." (List of literature for October-December 1989).

Key themes and topics covered in the listed articles include:

• UFO Sightings and Encounters: Numerous entries detail specific UFO sightings and encounters reported in various locations across the Soviet Union and beyond. Examples include "НЛО над Омском" (UFO over Omsk), "Харовская посадка" (Kharovsk landing), "НЛО в Бельгии" (UFO in Belgium), and "НЛО в Москве?" (UFO in Moscow?).
• Extraterrestrial Life and Visitors: Articles explore the possibility of alien visitors, their characteristics, and their potential interactions with humans. Titles like "Я сам себе внушал: Не было этого" (I convinced myself: It wasn't there), "Шли пришельцы по деревне" (The aliens walked through the village), and "Инопланетяне? Увы..." (Aliens? Alas...) reflect this theme.
• Scientific and Paranormal Investigations: Some entries suggest investigations into UFO phenomena, often linking them to scientific or paranormal aspects. Examples include "Феномены и наука" (Phenomena and science), "Экстрасенсы и НЛО" (Psychics and UFOs), and "Назойливые "Пришельцы"" (Annoying "Visitors").
• Conferences and Discussions: The bibliography includes references to conferences and discussions on UFOs and space, such as the conference in Frankfurt, Germany, and an international conference "Диалог во Вселенной" (Dialogue in the Universe).
• Specific Cases and Locations: Several entries highlight particular incidents or locations known for UFO activity, such as the Voronezh UFO case, the Sal'sk phenomenon, and the "Permskaya "zona"" (Perm "zone").
• Skepticism and Alternative Explanations: While the focus is on UFO literature, some titles hint at skeptical viewpoints or alternative explanations, such as "Война МИРОВ ИЛИ КОРОВ?" (War of the WORLDS or COWS?).

Notable publications cited include:

• "Юный техник" (Young Technician)
• "Правда" (Truth)
• "Комсомольская правда" (Komsomol Truth)
• "Литературная газета" (Literary Gazette)
• "Строительная газета" (Construction Gazette)
• "Вечерний Омск" (Evening Omsk)
• "Вечерний Ленинград" (Evening Leningrad)
• "Соц. ИНДУСТРИЯ" (Socialist Industry)
• "Красная звезда" (Red Star)
• "Техника и наука" (Technology and Science)

Geographical coverage: The listed articles originate from a wide range of cities and regions within the Soviet Union, including Moscow, Leningrad, Omsk, Rostov, Kiev, and others, as well as some international references (e.g., Belgium, Frankfurt).

Editorial and Contact Information

The latter part of the document provides practical information for the readers:

• Correspondence Address: Readers are invited to send their messages to Leningrad, Glavpochtamt, P.O. Box 150, for the Commission on UFOs of LO "FAKT".
• Contact Numbers: A phone number for the V.P. Kapranov House of Culture and Technology (298-24-25) and two phone numbers for eyewitnesses (538-22-03 and 393-03-26) are provided.
• Editorial Team: The issue was prepared by I. Baturin, V. Vorobiev, Z. Galevsky, V. Nechytailo, and V. Semenov.
• Publication Date of Preparation: The preparation date is listed as March 20, 1990.
• Reprint Policy: A clear statement indicates that reprinting without reference to the source is prohibited.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is overwhelmingly UFOs and related phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of documentation and information dissemination, as evidenced by the extensive bibliography. By compiling and publishing this list, the publication aims to provide its readers with a comprehensive overview of the discourse on UFOs in the Soviet press during the specified period. The inclusion of contact information for reporting sightings suggests an active interest in collecting firsthand accounts and engaging with the UFO community. The publication acts as a hub for information on this topic within the Leningrad region and beyond.