Keldysh Institute Launches Official UFO Research Program
In March 2023, the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences announced the official launch of a scientific program dedicated to investigating unidentified aerial phenomena. The institute, best known for its foundational contributions to Soviet and Russian space exploration, published the announcement on its Telegram channel, inviting the public and scientific community to report unusual atmospheric and celestial phenomena by email.
The announcement was framed as a direct continuation of the trend identified by military scientists in 2014, when the VK journal had listed the 'ufological threat' among Russia's eighteen national security risk categories. By 2023, Russia's official posture toward the UAP phenomenon had demonstrably shifted toward greater institutional engagement, with one of its most prestigious applied mathematics institutes formally assuming a data-collection role — a development broadly parallel to the institutional changes occurring in the United States with the establishment of AARO in 2022.
Background
In 2023, the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics — a prestigious institution within the Russian Academy of Sciences — launched an official scientific program to study unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The initiative represented a significant institutional commitment to investigating unexplained aerial phenomena using scientific methodology.
Program Overview
The Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM) announced the program in March 2023, inviting eyewitnesses to contribute observations. The institute requested that witnesses submit:
- Photo and video materials
- Location of the observation
- Time of the sighting
- Circumstances surrounding the event
Submissions were directed to the institute's dedicated email address: ufo@keldysh.ru.
Scientific Approach
The institute emphasized a collaborative methodology, stating "We will figure it out together" in its public announcement. This approach reflected the institute's commitment to applying rigorous scientific standards to the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, rather than relying solely on speculation or anecdotal evidence.
Institutional Significance
The Keldysh Institute is known for its substantial contributions to Soviet and Russian space programs, lending considerable credibility to the initiative. The program represented the most significant Russian scientific institutional engagement with the UFO topic since the Soviet-era SETKA program.
Global Context
The announcement occurred amid growing international governmental openness regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). This period saw the establishment of AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) in the United States and the creation of similar investigative bodies in other nations, reflecting a broader shift toward official scientific scrutiny of UFO reports.