'Significant Number' Of UFOs Spotted Over Ukraine, Scientists Reveal

Ukrainian astronomers recently spotted a "significant number" of unidentified flying objects (UFO) in the skies over Ukraine.

The objects, formally referred to by the U.S. military as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), were spotted by video cameras in the daytime sky, according to an independent study conducted by the Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences.

Two meteor stations in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the village of Vinarivka were used for the observations, scientists noted in the study published on Cornell University Library's arXiv online platform on Aug. 23.

UAPs that were observed flew solo, in a group, or in a squadron, according to the paper titled "Unidentified aerial phenomena I. Observations of events."

The ships were each categorized either as "Cosmics" or "Phantoms" in the study.

Cosmics are "luminous objects brighter than the background of the sky" that are named after birds such as the swift, falcon and eagle, researchers explained.

Meanwhile, Phantoms are "dark objects" with contrast from 50% to several percent.

Astronomers "observed a broad range of UAPs" everywhere, and their nature was "not clear," according to the paper, which did not disclose when the objects were spotted.

The objects spotted in Ukraine skies could be missiles, rockets, or something else associated with the ongoing Russian invasion, Vice claimed.

The U.S. has long hinted, speculated and warned that some UAPs could be advanced systems from foreign militaries such as China and Russia, according to the outlet.

U.S. aircraft such as Northrop Grumman's B-2 "Spirit" strategic bomber and Lochkeed's SR-71 "Blackbird" reconnaissance jet have previously been mistaken for UFOs, Business Insider reported.

In addition to planes, drones have also been reported as UFOs in the past.

Ukraine and Russia are operating thousands of drones in their current war, with the former mostly using the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and the latter using its indigenous Orlan-10, according to the BBC.

Drones can be used to bomb targets, but they have supposedly been most effective for both sides in locating enemy targets and guiding artillery onto them.

"Russian forces can bring their guns to bear on the enemy within only three to five minutes of an Orlan-10 drone spotting a target," Dr. Jack Watling of the U.K.-based Royal United Services Institute think tank said.

An attack would have taken between 20 and 30 minutes without the drone, he added.

"If you wanted to seek out enemy positions in the past, you would have had to send out special forces units... and you might lose some troops. Now, all you're risking is a drone," Watling said.