Vilnius, Lithuania: Glowing Globe Triggers Massive Military Response, Landing Trace Found
On June 25, 1966, 10 km outside Vilnius, two patrol officers encountered a glowing globe hovering 20-30 meters above ground, issuing 'crackling' sounds. ARAS Rapid Reaction Force, soldiers, and police responded. After 30 minutes the sphere departed, leaving a 20-meter circle of flattened grass.
Background
A teletyped message transmitted June 26, 1966, contained a news article from Moscow's ITAR-TASS World Service. At 12:30 a.m., June 25, 10 kilometers outside the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, two patrol officers came upon an anomalous glowing globe hanging motionless 20-30 meters above the ground.
Military Response
The oddity issued a 'crackling' sound and alternately expanded and contracted. The officers alerted Vilnius police headquarters. In minutes, vehicle loads of soldiers and special forces from the ARAS Rapid Reaction Force arrived, along with civil defense staff, sniffer dogs, and police reinforcements.
Physical Trace
After half an hour, the officers approached to within 50 meters, whereupon the sphere departed. Below where it had hovered, tall grass was flattened in a 20-meter circle. The crackling sound continued for several more minutes.