It is ["Desert Encounter"](https://fantlab-ru.translate.goog/work30828?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=uk&_x_tr_pto=wapp) by I. Rosokhvatsky.

Other names: "Aliens from another time", "Newcomers from the next hour", "Meeting in time", "Meeting in the desert".

First published in 1961 (Ukrainian version).

**Plot**


> In the middle of the Asian desert, not far from the remains of an
> ancient city, archaeologists have discovered two strange statues of a
> man and a woman. The mystery of the statues haunts researchers.
> According to one of the hypotheses, a spaceship once landed in the
> desert, and intelligent beings left these statues as a sign of their
> stay on Earth. The truth is somewhat different...

[Full story (russian)](http://books.rusf.ru/unzip/add-on/xussr_mr/rosoh031.htm?1)