Followers of the blind Bulgarian prophet Baba Vanga claim that two of her five main predictions for 2026 have already come true. With less than five months left in the year, believers point to recent natural disasters and expanding artificial intelligence as proof.
The claims were reported by the Daily Mail, which noted that her remaining forecasts describe events capable of altering life across the planet. Followers credit Vanga, who died in 1996, with predicting the September 11 attacks, the Chernobyl disaster, Princess Diana's death, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the COVID pandemic.
Believers linked her disaster prophecy to a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar in March that killed thousands of people. They also cited extreme heat and wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy, flash floods in Asia, and severe spring and summer storms in the United States. However, the prophecy contained few details on timing or locations, and such events occur worldwide every year.
The second prediction involves machines replacing human workers at scale through artificial intelligence. However, artificial intelligence has developed for decades, and it remains unclear when Vanga made the claim or what she said.
Alien contact and global conflict predictions
The most dramatic unfulfilled claim states that humanity will contact alien life after a huge spaceship enters Earth's atmosphere in November. Interest grew after the Trump administration released declassified records on unidentified anomalous phenomena. Some reports describe unexplained objects, but experts noted these could be balloons, drones, satellites, aircraft, sensor distortions, or atmospheric effects rather than alien crafts.
Vanga's political prophecy predicts the start of World War III through a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan and direct military conflict between Russia and the United States. As of August 7, neither event has occurred. Taiwan remains self-governed and Russia and the United States are not in direct war, though tension remains high and war continues in Ukraine.
Leadership changes in Russia
The final prediction claims Russian President Vladimir Putin will lose power and be replaced by a new leader by the end of the year. Putin has dominated Russian politics for over 18 years across two terms as president and shows no public sign of resigning. Followers point to pressure from the war in Ukraine and health speculation as potential indicators.
Astrology, tarot, numerology, palmistry, and extrasensory perception are not scientific disciplines and lack empirical proof. Experts advise against using such entertainment materials for health or decision-making. UNIAN previously reported that an individual known as the living Nostradamus also predicted a new war.
