State Department UAP Cable 003, Tbilisi, Georgia, October 30, 2001

Official Conclusion

Russian MFA categorically denied Russian aircraft were involved; U.S. Embassy assessed denials as likely false, consistent with Russian pattern of covering actions with 'bold lies.'

Official Description

On October 28-29, there was an incident alleged by the Georgian Foreign Ministry that Russian aircraft had violated Georgian airspace and bombed areas of the Kodori Gorge. Russians denied any of the claims and said that it could have been UFOs. Cable authors note that Russians typically engage in the “bold lie” when they wish to conceal actions.

Key Findings

• →Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mamedov categorically denied Russian planes flew over or bombed the Kodori Gorge on October 28-29, 2001, despite Georgian accusations.
• →MFA Georgia Desk Chief Tereoken used the term 'UFOs' dismissively to characterize unidentified aircraft reports, stating Moscow lacked the technical capability to determine whether foreign planes were in the region.
• →The U.S. Embassy explicitly assessed that the UFO explanation would be 'humorous if it were not for the seriousness of the violations,' and concluded Russian official denials likely reflect a 'bold lie.'
• →The cable reports credible accounts of Abkhaz helicopters bombing areas in the Kodori Gorge, distinguishing these from the disputed fixed-wing aircraft incidents.
• →Ambassador Vershbow warned Mamedov that continued airspace violations could be 'disastrous for U.S.-Russian relations' ahead of an upcoming presidential summit.

Extracted Entities