Unexplained UFO Encounters: Yugoslav Air Force’s 1975 Mystery

In the winter of 1975, the Yugoslav Air Force experienced a series of unexplained aerial phenomena that have intrigued observers for decades. Pilots from the 172nd Aviation Squadron based in Titograd reported nearly nightly sightings of a glowing orb over Montenegro and the Adriatic Sea, moving at speeds that defied modern aviation capabilities. This phenomenon, described as a bright ball of light, appeared to operate outside the known laws of physics, leading many to label it as a potential UFO sighting.

Film director Miloš Škundrić, who has spoken with numerous witnesses of these events, is currently preparing a feature film titled “Šifra Vuk” inspired by these mysterious encounters. He believes these incidents represent one of the most authentic UFO events in Europe. In an interview, he provided detailed accounts from the pilots who witnessed these occurrences.

What Happened During the 1975 Sighting?

According to Škundrić, the encounters began in mid-January and lasted until mid-February. Pilots reported sightings of a luminous sphere hovering over areas including Lovćen, Cetinje, and extending along the coast to Dubrovnik. Multiple pilots observed the same phenomenon simultaneously, but its behavior was inconsistent with any known aircraft capabilities.

One particular incident involved a military G-2 Galeb jet piloted by a Yugoslav instructor and an African cadet. As they flew above Rumija, they encountered a massive yellowish light that initially hovered before rapidly darting away and disappearing over the sea. Such encounters occurred repeatedly, raising concerns within the military about this unidentified object.

Military Response to the Unknown Objects

At that time, the Yugoslav People’s Army was at its peak strength, with rising tensions in the region, particularly regarding relations with NATO and Italy. The appearance of an unidentified object prompted immediate concern among military officials. Colonel Zvonko Jurjević, the commander of the squadron, initially dismissed the pilots’ reports, suspecting everything from weather balloons to optical illusions. However, he had his own encounter when he chased the UFO along the coast, witnessing it vanish from the horizon.

On some nights, as many as twenty pilots observed the phenomenon simultaneously. In one interception attempt, twelve aircraft and twenty-four pilots attempted to encircle the object. Reports suggest that some pilots even fired at the UFO, but to no effect. When Jurjević relayed these sightings to command in Belgrade, his reports were met with skepticism.

The situation escalated when the crew of the ship Galeb, which was carrying Marshal Tito, reported a similar sighting. This prompted a serious military response.

General Enver Ćemalović, head of the Air Force and Air Defense Command, ordered supersonic MiG-21 fighter jets armed with guided missiles to intercept the object, which was codenamed “Wolf.” Unfortunately, every time the jets approached, the UFO would mysteriously evade detection.

Following several failed interception attempts, including an incident where a pilot, Captain Ivan Mamić, reported engaging with the object, the military decided to return to normal operations, accepting that the phenomenon could not be reliably tracked or engaged.

The Aftermath of the UFO Encounters

After an extended period of sightings, the UFO was last seen hovering directly above the Golubovci airfield, where it demonstrated its ability to flash lights on and off before vanishing. Following this event, no further sightings were reported, although anecdotal evidence suggests similar phenomena continued to be observed by pilots in subsequent years.

Škundrić noted that radar systems had registered the object as being the size of a Boeing 747, moving at speeds of up to 7,000 kilometers per hour, only to halt almost motionless near Dubrovnik. Unfortunately, most of the documentation from this period was lost during the 1999 NATO bombings, which destroyed the archives that contained pilot reports.

Despite the lack of tangible evidence, Škundrić remains committed to sharing these remarkable stories, emphasizing their significance not just as extraordinary encounters but as a reflection of a time when pilots felt they could control the skies—only to confront something that challenged their understanding of reality.

The upcoming film, “Šifra Vuk,” aims to capture the essence of these events, exploring themes of courage and the unknown. Škundrić believes these stories deserve to be told, as they encapsulate both the fear and bravery of those who witnessed what they could not explain, remaining silent for decades. The legend of the “Wolf” may well linger in the skies above Montenegro, waiting for a new generation of pilots to uncover its mysteries.