Foreign Press Note: USSR UFO Sightings No. 3

This document is a compilation of foreign press notes from the Foreign Broadcast Information Service, detailing an interview with Soviet Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces, General Ivan Tretyak. The interview, originally published in Literaturnaya Gazeta, addresses the increasing number of UFO sightings reported in Soviet newspapers. General Tretyak confirms that Soviet fighter-interceptors have encountered unidentified flying objects in Soviet airspace. He describes specific incidents, including a notable event on March 2, 1990, where two pulsating lights were observed northeast of Moscow. According to Tretyak, these objects were captured on optical and thermal sensors by interceptor pilots, yet they were not registered by on-board radar recording equipment. He attributes this to the objects possessing 'stealth-like' characteristics that may be incompatible with the specific radar bands used by the Air Defense Forces. Tretyak emphasizes that these sightings do not constitute a violation of Soviet sovereignty or an extraterrestrial threat. He explains that many historical UFO sightings have been identified as natural phenomena, such as optical effects caused by cosmic rays penetrating ozone holes during rocket launches. Furthermore, he warns against the proliferation of media hoaxes, citing a recent false report in the newspaper Rabochaya Tribuna regarding a UFO attack on a radar station. Tretyak concludes that while the military remains vigilant and continues to investigate, the public should adopt a critical and cautious attitude toward UFO reports, as many are simply fabricated for public interest.