Buzz
Russia, a nation with a history that stretches back to ancient times, spans vast continents and is home to a treasure trove of supernatural tales. Many of these stories remain largely unfamiliar to those outside its culture. However, the accounts of its spectral beings, mythical creatures, and extraterrestrial encounters are as varied and intriguing as those found in Western lore.
Step into the eerie world of one of the planet's most enigmatic nations and uncover its chilling tales.
10. UFO Encounters and Cosmonauts
Cosmonauts are renowned for their extraordinary courage. Not only did they triumph in the Space Race, but they achieved this feat using spacecraft that were practically held together by sheer determination and ingenuity. When a seasoned Soviet space explorer speaks in hushed tones about the bizarre and terrifying phenomena he witnessed in the cosmos, it’s worth paying close attention.
Over the years, many cosmonauts have shared accounts of encounters with unidentified flying objects. Vladimir Kovalyonok, a Saljut VI mission veteran in 1981, recounted seeing an elliptical object that trailed their spacecraft before vanishing in a stunning “explosion,” only to reappear elsewhere alongside an identical object. The MIR space station has also been a hotspot for UFO sightings, with at least two crews reporting mysterious objects. These UFOs aren’t limited to space—they’ve also been rumored to visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the world’s largest operational space launch facility, where unusual visitors are occasionally spotted.
It’s important to note that many of these stories originate from conspiracy-focused websites and sources with clear biases. However, in a country like Russia, known for its strict censorship, would mainstream media ever dare to publish such extraordinary claims?
9. The Fiery Phenomenon of Chelyabinsk
In February 2013, a meteor blazed across the skies above Chelyabinsk, shining as brightly as 30 suns before exploding mid-air in the most significant airburst since the 1908 Tunguska Event. The incident injured over 1,200 people and captured global attention. This event was not only extraordinary but also deeply unsettling, as it occurred without warning. The unpredictability of such phenomena is a stark reminder that they could happen anywhere, at any time, with no prior indication.
While many in Chelyabinsk were focused on the aftermath of the destructive meteor, others grew uneasy about what it might have drawn to their city. Weeks after the event, as the town was still recovering, residents reported an astonishing sight—a massive, luminous orb hovering in the night sky. This followed an earlier occurrence of a strange, glowing mist that had enveloped part of the area the night before.
The timing of these two mysterious events—occurring shortly after the meteor strike—makes it difficult to dismiss them as mere coincidences. Both incidents were witnessed by many and supported by photographic evidence. However, even UFO researchers acknowledge that the presence of ice fog in the area could have contributed to optical illusions caused by reflections from city lights.
8. The Mysterious Sakhalin Entity
The Sakhalin creature was discovered by Russian soldiers along the country's Eastern coastline. This horrifying, decayed remains of a massive sea creature bore no resemblance to a fish, nor did it look like an alligator or crocodile. Its remaining skin hinted at the presence of hair, and its structure suggested it could be a long-lost aquatic dinosaur. Unfortunately, this enigmatic specimen was reportedly seized by the military, leaving civilian scientists unable to study it.
However, extensive analysis wasn’t necessary. The Sakhalin creature is almost certainly the remains of a large beluga whale that had washed ashore long before the soldiers found it. The so-called “fur” that gives it an otherworldly appearance is likely just decomposing tissue. Despite this, images of this “prehistoric beast” continue to surface online from time to time.
7. The Week of the Rusalka
A Rusalka is the Slavic equivalent of a succubus, a female demon that lures and preys on men. These entities blend traits of ghosts and mermaids, often depicted as “fish-like women” born from the violent deaths of scorned women or children. Rusalkas are known for their destructive tendencies—drowning their victims, terrifying livestock, and even abducting children. Yet, they are also revered for their influence over fertility, making them significant figures in rural folklore.
Rusalkas are said to be most active during the first week of June, a period known as Rusalka Week or Rusal’naia Week. This time is marked by both celebration and caution. Traditional rituals include crafting effigies of Rusalkas, destroying them, and then placating the spirits with offerings and music. Throughout the week, women avoid washing their hair for protection, while men adorn themselves with garlic and walnuts to ward off the spirits.
For obvious reasons, swimming is strongly discouraged during Rusalka Week.
6. The Russian Roswell Incident
Kapustin Yar, a highly classified Soviet missile base, has long been associated with strange occurrences and frequent sightings of unidentified flying objects.
However, some believe that not all of these UFOs were of human origin.
In 1948, just a year after the Roswell incident, an alleged alien spacecraft reportedly engaged with a MIG fighter sent to investigate. By chance, the pilot managed to strike the UFO with a missile, causing it to crash. The wreckage was swiftly recovered by the military and transported to a secret underground facility beneath Kapustin Yar. There, Soviet scientists reportedly reverse-engineered the craft, potentially aiding the rapid advancements of the Soviet space program that followed.
The parallels to the Roswell incident and its timing just a year later have raised skepticism. Yet, this isn’t the only UFO-related tale tied to the area. A declassified KGB document from 1991 suggested that aliens visited the site as recently as 1989. This time, the spacecraft wasn’t attacked but hovered for two hours, occasionally projecting a bright beam toward the ground. Several military officers reportedly witnessed the event, leading some to speculate it was searching for its lost companion.
5. Nina Kulagina
Ninel Sergeyevna Kulagina, widely known as Nina, was a tank radio sergeant injured during the final stages of World War II. After retiring from combat and starting a family, she began exhibiting psychic abilities. From the 1960s until her death in 1990, Kulagina gained fame for her numerous paranormal talents. She reportedly healed people, identified colors with her fingertips, and revealed the contents of others’ pockets. Her most renowned ability, however, was psychokinesis—the power to move objects with her mind.
Kulagina’s psychokinetic skills were extensively tested, yet scientists could never prove her a fraud. Her precision was remarkable—in one experiment, she separated an egg yolk from its white and moved them to opposite ends of a tank. In another, she allegedly stopped a frog’s heart using only her willpower. Fortunately, she couldn’t manipulate heavier objects, such as human hearts, as using her powers caused her severe physical strain.
Despite never being caught cheating, skepticism about Kulagina’s authenticity persists. Some believe she relied on sleight of hand and magic tricks, while others argue the Soviet Union fabricated her abilities to intimidate Americans during the Cold War. After all, what could be more unsettling than an enemy nation with citizens possessing superpowers?
4. The Legend of the Brosno Dragon
Lake Brosno, Europe’s deepest freshwater lake, is shrouded in mystery, with none more terrifying than the legend of the Brosno Dragon—Russia’s counterpart to the Loch Ness Monster. The lake’s history is rife with sightings of mysterious creatures, often attributed to the Dragon. As far back as the eighth century, Tatar and Mongol invaders were said to have been devoured by the beast. Other tales describe a massive “sand island” that would rise and vanish in the lake’s center, while some claim the Dragon was so enormous it could consume entire islands.
In modern times, the Dragon is described as a glowing, 5-meter (16 ft) creature resembling a dragon from fantasy tales, with numerous locals claiming to have seen it. While its existence is disputed, many agree that Lake Brosno harbors something truly extraordinary.
3. The Chernobyl Black Bird
One of the most iconic paranormal entities in the United States is the Mothman, a mysterious omen of disaster that appeared in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, just before the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge, which claimed 46 lives. However, the Mothman pales in comparison to its Russian counterpart—or perhaps they are the same entity, with Point Pleasant serving as a mere warm-up.
The Black Bird didn’t concern itself with minor disasters like bridge collapses. Instead, it targeted the worst nuclear catastrophe in history: the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The Black Bird’s legend mirrors Mothman’s activities in Point Pleasant. Described as a large, shadowy figure with wings and glowing red eyes, it was reportedly seen by many in the days leading up to the disaster. Those who encountered it often experienced strange phone calls and horrifying nightmares.
When the Chernobyl reactor exploded on April 26, survivors, including pilots and rescue workers, recounted terrifying tales of a massive black figure emerging from the wreckage, circling the dark plumes of smoke. The Black Bird had claimed its victims and was never seen again.
Alternatively, the entire story might have been fabricated by someone who mistook a large stork for something sinister after a long night—similar to theories about Mothman. The truth may remain forever unknown.
2. The Haunted Kremlin
The Kremlin, Moscow’s vast fortified government complex, is one of Russia’s most historically rich locations, steeped in tales of treachery and death. It’s no surprise that its halls and pathways are said to be haunted by numerous spirits.
Given its centuries-long role as a center of power, many of the Kremlin’s ghosts are well-known figures. Ivan the Terrible, the infamous 16th-century tyrant, is rumored to wander the Great Bell Tower, lamenting his sins, with his footsteps echoing for those brave enough to listen. Some believe he appeared to Tsar Nikolay II—Russia’s last tsar, executed by the communists—as a grim omen before his coronation. Another prominent ghost is Lenin, whose spectral presence was reportedly felt three months before his actual death.
Perhaps the most infamous ghost in the Kremlin is Joseph Stalin. Even in death, the ruthless dictator is said to appear during times of crisis, as if urging current leaders to restore order by any means. Legend has it that Stalin’s spirit is present whenever a room in the Kremlin inexplicably turns cold.
1. The Space Forces
Russia, no stranger to conflict, ensures it is ready to face any external threat. And by any, we mean any.
The Aerospace Defense Troops are Russia’s military division dedicated to space warfare. This doesn’t involve starfighters patrolling the International Space Station (as far as we’re aware). Instead, their primary responsibilities include managing military satellites and the nation’s missile defense systems. Nevertheless, space falls under their domain, and they recognize their role in defending the country against potential alien invasions. They are commonly referred to as the “Space Troops.”
Unfortunately, they may not be fully equipped for such a challenge. When Sergey Berezhnoy, the deputy chief of the Space Troops, was asked if they could handle an alien invasion, he candidly admitted that they lack the necessary capabilities. Let’s hope no extraterrestrials were eavesdropping.
+ The Hell Screams
We’ve mentioned it before, but it’s impossible to exclude from a list like this. In 1984, Soviet geologists embarked on a massive project in Siberia, drilling a 14.4-kilometer (9 mi) hole into Earth’s crust—because geology can sometimes be as dull as it sounds. The goal was to create an experimental well, but the researchers stumbled upon something far more chilling: the depths of the hole seemed to carry the screams of Hell itself.
The hole reached a blistering temperature of 1093° Celsius (2000° F), a heat so intense that nothing could survive. Yet, agonized, terrified screams echoed from the abyss. Dr. Azzacov, the project leader, initially dismissed the sounds but eventually concluded they had unintentionally opened a gateway to hell. His conviction was solidified when a massive, bat-winged spectral figure emerged from the pit on the first night, painting the words “I have conquered” in Russian across the night sky.
Well, that’s the tale, at least. In truth, the so-called “pit” was just a standard borehole on the Kola Peninsula, with temperatures never surpassing 82° Celsius (180° F). At some point, questionable media outlets concocted an intriguing—yet entirely fictional—story about a “well to hell,” adding a layer of authenticity by linking it to an actual drilling site.
