What did the declassified documents reveal?

A 1955 memo has recently been further declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency, detailing a unique event: the sighting of a "saucer-like" craft by a former U.S. Senator while in Russia during the height of the Cold War. The document, written by Herbert Scoville Jr., then-Assistant Director, Scientific Intelligence for the CIA, provides a fascinating account of former Senator Richard B. Russell's encounter with unknown objects seen by multiple witnesses. 9 February 2022, John Greenewald, Jr., submitted a Mandatory Declassification Review request under Executive Order 13526 for: INTERVIEW WITH (DELETED) (DISCUSSES INTERVIEW OF 27 OCTOBER) (PUBD IS UNKNOWN). The CIA completed a thorough search for records responsive to the request and located one document which they can release in segregable form with deletions as marked on the basis of Section 6.2(d) of the Order. MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD, SUBJECT: Interview with Senator Richard B. Russell. On 27 October, Dr. Francis Clauser, O/SI consultant, and I interviewed Senator Russell relative to an observation of unconventional or saucer-like aircraft during his visit to Russia. The following is a statement of his observations with my comments. 1. The party was travelling between Baku and Tiflis on a train at the specific request of Senator Russell who made every attempt to journey by train when possible. About an hour and one-half out of Baku, the subject noticed a greenish-yellow ball rising rapidly. He rushed into the next compartment stating that he had seen what he thought was a flying saucer. They turned out the lights and looked out the window but saw nothing, and the rest of the party was initially skeptical. However, suddenly a second ball was noticed rising rapidly, and then the other members of the party were convinced. The second object was initially seen at a minimum altitude of 700 to 800 feet, at a time when the first object was initially viewed at an even higher altitude. 2. During his trip, the Senator also made a motor trip between Moscow and Borodino. During this ride, he observed six or eight caserns with military personnel. At one point, only 150 yards from the road, he noted a radar on top of a mound with a big egg beater object about 20 feet away. He thought he saw a similar installation further from the road on another occasion. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The document can be found at storyflo.com, and the canonical URL is https://documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/cia/EOM202000228FINAL.pdf.

Why was this case declassified?

This material was released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it from the public release.

Declassified Top Secret CIA Memo Reveals Senator’s “saucer Like” Craft Sighting In 1955

◆ BLUF — The short version

S. Senator while in Russia during the height of the Cold War. , then-Assistant Director, Scientific Intelligence for the CIA, provides a fascinating account of former Senator Richard B. Russell's encounter with unknown objects seen by multiple witnesses.

Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Date: JUN 21 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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A 1955 memo has recently been further declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency, detailing a unique event: the sighting of a "saucer-like" craft by a former U.S. Senator while in Russia during the height of the Cold War. The document, written by Herbert Scoville Jr., then-Assistant Director…

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What was Declassified Top Secret CIA Memo Reveals Senator’s “saucer Like” Craft Sighting In 1955 about?: S. Senator while in Russia during the height of the Cold War. , then-Assistant Director, Scientific Intelligence for the CIA, provides a fascinating account of former Senator Richard B. Russell's encounter with unknown objects seen by multiple witnesses.
Why was this case declassified?: This material was released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

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Declassified Top Secret CIA Memo Reveals Senator’s “saucer Like” Craft Sighting In 1955

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