Report on Conversations With Soviet Scientists on Subject of Unidentified Flying Objects in the USSR

This Central Intelligence Agency information report, dated August 10, 1967, details the findings of a US scientist who traveled through the USSR for one month in 1967. The primary purpose of the trip was to visit astronomical observatories engaged in planetary research, but the scientist also made inquiries regarding Soviet observations and interpretations of Unidentified Flying Objects. The report notes that these inquiries were a minor aspect of the trip. The scientist visited V.I. Moroz at the Sternberg Institute in Moscow, who remained noncommittal on the subject. A radio astronomer serving as a translator dismissed the existence of UFOs in the USSR, suggesting that if they were seen, they must be of Soviet origin. At the Pulkovo Observatory in Leningrad, an astronomer mentioned hearing of sightings near the Caucasus but was unaware of any formal studies. The most significant interaction was with N.A. Kozyrev, who was described as very interested in the problem. Kozyrev was familiar with Menzel's book on the subject, though he did not accept its conclusions. Kozyrev noted that UFO reports were not published in Soviet newspapers because they were not regarded as scientific observations. Despite this, Kozyrev personally accepted the reality of UFOs and speculated that they might originate on Venus, while remaining aware of the negative professional consequences of holding such "enlightened" scientific opinions.