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Approved For Release 2p ap 10 : CIA-RDP96-00788R001300020001-6 ST-CS-01-169-~72 July 1972 SECTION II — SIGNIFICANCE OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY IN THE USSR 1. (U) The Soviet Union is well aware of the benefits and applications of parapsychology research. In 1963, a Kremlin edict apparently gave top priority to biological research, which in Russia includes parapsychology (74). The major impetus behind the Soviet drive to harness the possible capabilities of telepathic communication, telekinetics, and bionics is said to come from the Soviet military and the KGB (57). Today it is reported that the USSR has twenty: or more centers for the study of parapsychological phenomena, with an annual budget estimated in 1967 at over 12 million rubles (13 million dollars) and reported to be as high as 21 million dollars (1,57,75). 2. (W) According to a report by Velinov (76), Soviet interest in biocommunications was clearly indicated in 1965 when the Depart- ment of Bioinformation of the Scientific and Technical Society of Radio Engineering and Telecommunications was established at the Popov Institute in Moscow. Its stated objectives are to discuss physical, biological, and philosophical aspects of bioinfor- mation and to acquaint the Soviet scientific community with bio- communications research conducted outside the Soviet Union. 3. (U) Soviet parapsychology ‘research was actually stimulated by the 1960 French story (77) concerning the US atomic submarine Nautilus. The French journalists splashed the now rather infamous Nautilus story in headlines "US Navy Uses ESP on Atomic Sub!" Ship to shore telepathy, according to the French, blipped along nicely even when the Nautilus was far under water. "Is telepathy a new secret weapon? Willi ESP be a deciding factor in future warfare?" The speculating French sensationalized, "Has the . American military learned the secret of mind power?" In Leningrad the Nautilus reports went off like a depth charge in the mind of L.L. Vasilev. In April of 1960, Doctor Vasilev, while addressing a group of top Soviet scientists stated: “We carried out extensive and until now completely unreported investigations under the Stalin regime. Today the American Navy is testing telepathy on their atomic submarines. Soviet scientists conducted a great many successful telepathy tests over a quarter of a ° century ago. It's urgent that we throw off our prejudices. We must again plunge into the exploration of this vital field." (78) 24 NO FOREIGN DISSEMINATION (This page is UNCLASSIFIED)