Unidentified flying object

This intelligence assessment details the evolving perspective on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) within the Soviet Union during the late 1960s. The author, F. Zigel, a Doctor of technical sciences and Assistant professor at the Moscow Aviation Institute, argues against the prevailing theory—previously supported by U.S. astrophysicist Menzel—that UFOs were merely common optical phenomena. Zigel notes that this dismissive view was changing by the late 1960s. The document highlights the upcoming publication of a book titled 'Populated Outer Space,' edited by Academician Boris Konstantinov, Vice President of the USSR Academy of Sciences, which features contributions from both Soviet and American experts. Furthermore, the report describes the formation of the 'UFO Section of the All-Union Cosmonautics Committee' in Moscow in October 1967, chaired by Air Force Major General Porfiri Stolyarov. This group, composed of scientists, military personnel, and writers, was established to conduct scientific investigations into UFOs. The assessment posits that UFOs exhibit 'sensible' behavior, noting that they maintain patterns during group formation flights and are frequently sighted near sensitive locations such as airfields and atomic stations. The report suggests that these objects appear to avoid direct contact with aircraft, implying a level of intelligent reconnaissance. Finally, the author observes a correlation between the number of UFO sightings and the proximity of Mars to Earth, questioning whether this is a mere coincidence.