Summary
In May 2019, crew members aboard the USS Russell (DDG-59) captured compelling night vision video of multiple spherical objects operating near their destroyer off the coast of California. The footage, recorded through night vision equipment, shows at least two glowing spherical objects maneuvering near the ship. In related incidents, some of these spherical objects were observed descending into the ocean, demonstrating potential trans-medium capabilities. The Russell’s encounters were part of a larger pattern of UAP activity involving multiple ships during 2019, culminating in increased Navy awareness and documentation of these phenomena. The sphere videos, leaked in 2021, provided the public with clear evidence of ongoing military encounters with objects of unknown origin.
The USS Russell
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer
Ship specifications:
- Guided missile destroyer
- Advanced radar systems
- Sophisticated sensors
- Professional crew
- Combat capabilities
- Key fleet asset
May 2019 Deployment
Operational context:
- Pacific Fleet operations
- Training exercises
- Standard deployment
- Multiple ship group
- Warning area activity
Initial Encounters
Sphere Detections
Crew observed:
- Multiple spherical objects
- Glowing appearance
- Hovering capabilities
- Controlled movements
- No conventional lighting
- Silent operation
Documentation Efforts
Russell crew initiated:
- Night vision recording
- Multiple observations
- Log entries
- Command notification
- Evidence preservation
The Night Vision Footage
Video Characteristics
Recording showed:
- Green-tinted NV imagery
- Two primary objects
- Spherical shape clear
- Steady hovering
- Relative motion visible
- Extended duration
Object Behavior
Spheres demonstrated:
- Stationary hovering
- Slow movements
- Altitude maintenance
- No visible propulsion
- Luminous quality
- Controlled flight
Trans-Medium Observations
Ocean Entry Reports
Some spheres observed:
- Descending toward ocean
- Entering water
- No splash recorded
- No debris
- Disappearing below surface
Correlation with Omaha
Similar to:
- USS Omaha incidents
- Same time period
- Trans-medium capability
- Pacific operations
- Fleet-wide phenomenon
Multiple Witnesses
Bridge Personnel
Observers included:
- Officer of the Deck
- Navigation team
- Lookouts
- Combat Information Center
- Multiple perspectives
- Professional witnesses
Consistent Descriptions
Witnesses agreed on:
- Spherical shape
- Glowing nature
- Hovering ability
- Silent operation
- Controlled movement
- Unusual behavior
Duration and Frequency
Extended Observations
Encounters lasted:
- Multiple minutes
- Several occasions
- Different nights
- Various conditions
- Documented thoroughly
- Pattern established
Fleet-Wide Activity
Russell’s encounters part of:
- Larger phenomenon
- Multiple ships affected
- Consistent timeframe
- Regional concentration
- Command awareness
Government Response
Initial Classification
Videos and reports:
- Classified immediately
- Limited distribution
- Investigation launched
- Analysis conducted
- Information restricted
2021 Disclosure
Jeremy Corbell released:
- Night vision footage
- Sphere videos
- Pentagon confirmation
- Authenticity verified
- Public awareness
Pentagon Confirmation
Official Authentication
Susan Gough, Pentagon spokesperson:
- Confirmed authenticity
- Navy personnel filmed
- UAP Task Force aware
- Under investigation
- Ongoing assessments
Significance Acknowledged
Military recognized:
- Unknown objects
- Fleet encounters
- Investigation priority
- Safety concerns
- Pattern existence
Technical Analysis
Sphere Characteristics
Analysis revealed:
- Self-illuminated
- No navigation lights
- Uniform glow
- Size estimates difficult
- No appendages visible
- Smooth appearance
Propulsion Mystery
No evidence of:
- Jet exhaust
- Propeller wash
- Rocket plume
- Control surfaces
- Known technology
Comparison to Other Shapes
UAP Variety
2019 encounters included:
- Pyramids (Omaha)
- Spheres (Russell)
- Tic Tacs (ongoing)
- Various forms
- Technology diversity?
Operational Differences
Spheres showed:
- Different behavior
- Hovering preference
- Trans-medium capability
- Luminous quality
- Unique characteristics
Intelligence Concerns
If Foreign Technology
Sphere capabilities suggest:
- Advanced surveillance
- Stealth capacity
- Unknown power source
- Technology gap
- Intelligence failure
Persistent Presence
Pattern indicates:
- Ongoing operations
- Fleet monitoring
- Bold approaches
- Immunity to detection
- Purpose unknown
Scientific Interest
Luminosity Questions
Self-illumination suggests:
- Internal power source
- Plasma possibility
- Unknown energy
- Atmospheric interaction
- Technology indicator
Hovering Capability
Stationary flight requires:
- Anti-gravity systems?
- Advanced propulsion
- Energy efficiency
- Stability control
- Unknown physics
Media Impact
2021 Revelations
Video release created:
- Public fascination
- Navy confirmation
- Sphere shape awareness
- Trans-medium discussion
- Disclosure momentum
Documentary Coverage
Featured in:
- News segments
- UFO documentaries
- Congressional briefings
- Expert analysis
- Ongoing coverage
Historical Context
Sphere UFO Reports
Historical precedents:
- Foo fighters (WWII)
- Weather balloon era
- Modern sightings
- Consistent shape
- Global phenomenon
Naval Encounters
Navy sphere sightings:
- Long history
- Various locations
- Multiple witnesses
- Official documentation
- Pattern recognition
Investigation Challenges
Night Vision Limitations
NV footage presents:
- Distance estimation difficulty
- Size uncertainty
- Detail limitations
- Color absence
- Resolution constraints
Positive Factors
Despite limitations:
- Shape clearly visible
- Movement documented
- Multiple videos
- Witness testimony
- Pattern confirmation
Fleet Security
Vulnerability Demonstrated
Spheres showed ability to:
- Approach warships
- Evade identification
- Operate with impunity
- Monitor operations
- Remain unidentified
Response Development
Navy implementing:
- Better documentation
- Reporting protocols
- Analysis procedures
- Threat assessment
- Counter-measures research
Connection to Broader Events
2019 Surge
Part of increased activity:
- Multiple ship encounters
- Various object types
- Concentrated timeframe
- Pacific focus
- Unexplained surge
Ongoing Mystery
Despite investigations:
- Origin unknown
- Technology unidentified
- Purpose unclear
- Operators mystery
- Phenomenon continues
Cultural Impact
Shape Diversity Awareness
Russell spheres contributed to:
- Public understanding
- UAP variety recognition
- Phenomenon complexity
- Technology questions
- Disclosure pressure
Military Credibility
Navy footage provides:
- Official evidence
- Professional witnesses
- Government acknowledgment
- Serious treatment
- Paradigm shift
Significance
USS Russell sphere encounters important because:
- Clear night vision footage
- Spherical shape documented
- Trans-medium capability suggested
- Military witness credibility
- Pattern contribution
- Technology demonstration
- Ongoing mystery
Conclusions
The USS Russell sphere videos demonstrate:
- Various UAP shapes exist
- Military encounters continue
- Trans-medium capability recurring
- Technology unknown
- Documentation improving
- Disclosure progressing
Whether the spheres were:
- Foreign surveillance systems
- Natural phenomena
- Non-human technology
- Classified projects
The USS Russell sphere encounters add another piece to the growing puzzle of military UAP encounters. The clear night vision footage of self-illuminated spherical objects, combined with reports of trans-medium capability, expands our understanding of the variety and capabilities of phenomena being encountered by U.S. Navy vessels. These incidents, part of the remarkable 2019 surge in naval encounters, continue to challenge conventional explanations and demonstrate that unknown objects with extraordinary capabilities operate in close proximity to America’s most sophisticated warships.