Immediately, experts and enthusiasts alike weighed in with various theories. Scientists and meteorologists were puzzled. Initial thoughts turned to vortex rings – large smoke rings created by explosions, industrial discharges, or even natural thermal anomalies. Such phenomena are known to occur, often from factory smokestacks or even large fires. Indeed, previous black rings had been sighted in other parts of the world, sometimes linked to pyrotechnic tests or electrical transformer malfunctions.

However, the Shorthandy ring’s unusual size, apparent lack of discernible source, and the reported ”no odour” by local villager Oleg Menshikov, made many question whether a conventional explanation fully sufficed. While physics professors from Northern Kazakhstan State University suggested a combustion-related origin, the specifics of what could have created such a massive, perfect ring in that location remained elusive. The village of Shorthandy isn’t known for heavy industry or large-scale pyrotechnic displays.