On the relation between theoretical and experimental components in the papers on ball lightning (reply to M L Shmatov's comments [Phys. Usp. 63 96 (2020); Usp. Fiz. Nauk 190 107 (2020)] on the paper “On the possibility of making natural ball lightning using a new pulse discharge type in the laboratory” [Phys. Usp. 62 92 (2019); Usp. Fiz. Nauk 189 95 (2019)])

In his letter [Phys. Usp. 63 97 (2020); Usp. Fiz. Nauk 190 107 (2020)] Shmatov expresses a high opinion of the experimental part of Shabanov's paper [Phys. Usp. 62 92 (2019); Usp. Fiz. Nauk 189 95 (2019)] but presents some critical remarks on the theoretical character. We show in this reply that these remarks are based on a misunderstanding related to an excessively unambiguous treatment of elementary physical laws ignoring the possible variety of their manifestations under particular conditions.