Department of War PURSUE File
State Department UAP Cable 3, Tbilisi, Georgia, October 30, 2001
Georgia·10/28/2001-10/29/2001
Editorial summary
On October 28 and 29, 2001, the Georgian Foreign Ministry accused Russian aircraft of violating Georgian airspace and bombing positions in the Kodori Gorge in the Abkhazia region. According to the file, when pressed by U.S. Ambassador Vershbow in Moscow on October 30, Russian officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Mamedov categorically denied any involvement. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that no Russian planes had flown over or bombed areas in the gorge during those dates.
When a U.S. diplomat raised the allegations with Russian MFA Georgia Desk Chief Tereoken, he echoed the denial and claimed there had been no Russian planes near the area on either October 28 or 29. Tereoken acknowledged credible reports of Abkhaz helicopters operating in the region against what he termed "terrorists," but suggested that reports of fixed-wing aircraft "might as well have been about UFOs." He further stated that Moscow lacked the technical capability to determine whether foreign planes had been in the region. Notably, Tereoken added that it was possible "any side" could have sent planes over Kodori, while explicitly disclaiming accusation against anyone.
The cable indicates that the incident occurred against a backdrop of ongoing military presence and negotiations. According to the file, one trainload of Russian military equipment departed the Gudauta base on the morning of October 29 and entered Russia. Two additional loaded trains were awaiting permission from Abkhaz authorities to proceed. Tereoken stated that approximately 600 Russian personnel remained at Gudauta, with Moscow insisting on maintaining about 340 there as "guards," a figure the Georgian government sought to reduce significantly. When asked why outside observers were not invited to witness the withdrawals, Tereoken cited the tense situation and claimed insufficient advance notice.
The cable concludes with the ambassador's assessment that Russian denials were difficult to accept given the pattern of the incident, noting that Russia's invocation of the UFO explanation reflected what he characterized as "a traditional Russian penchant to avoid an awkward admission with a bold lie." This declassified State Department cable was released as part of the U.S. Department of War PURSUE Release 01 on May 8, 2026.
Editorial summary written by govweird from the declassified document text. The official government description follows below.
Government 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.
Caption issued by the U.S. Department of War on war.gov/ufo. Verbatim, unedited.
Originating agency
Department of State
Record type
Incident date
10/28/2001-10/29/2001
Incident location
Georgia
Release tranche
Release 01 (May 8, 2026)
Distribution
Cleared for public release