Gordievsky

Oleg Gordievsky was a Soviet KGB colonel and a double agent who spied for the United Kingdom during the Cold War. Born in Moscow in 1938, he joined the KGB in 1962 and rose through the ranks, serving in various intelligence roles.

In the 1970s, disillusioned with the Soviet regime and its oppressive policies, Gordievsky began to covertly pass information to British intelligence services. He provided MI6 with valuable insights into KGB operations, Soviet foreign policy, and the identities of numerous KGB agents operating in the West. His information played a significant role in shaping Western understanding of Soviet intentions and capabilities.

Gordievsky's dual role continued for over a decade. He was eventually discovered by the KGB in 1985. Fearing execution, he was exfiltrated from the Soviet Union by MI6 in a daring operation in July 1985. He was smuggled out of Moscow disguised as a tourist and driven across the border to Finland.

After his escape, Gordievsky lived in the United Kingdom under a new identity. He has since written several books detailing his experiences and providing an insider's perspective on the KGB and Soviet intelligence. His defection was considered one of the most significant intelligence coups of the Cold War.

---