Book cover of The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre

Ben Macintyre

The Spy and the Traitor Summary

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What drives a high-ranking spy to betray everything he was raised to believe? Discover the extraordinary true story of Oleg Gordievsky, the double agent who helped alter the Cold War's direction.

1. The KGB's grip on identity

Oleg Gordievsky grew up in the shadow of the KGB, as his father was a proud member. Membership in this formidable Soviet organization carried not only status but also generational expectations. It was no surprise, then, when Oleg and his brother Vasili were ushered into the KGB due to their family ties. Yet, while his father proudly wore his KGB uniform even on weekends, Oleg's unease with communist principles was forming.

He developed an early skepticism toward the USSR's suppressive system, thanks to his mother’s quiet nonconformity and his grandmother’s secret spirituality. Their cautious distancing from Soviet ideology planted the seeds of doubt in him. Despite his lineage, Oleg began questioning the morals of a state that outlawed religion and silenced dissent.

Oleg's disillusionment grew while studying at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where exposure to foreign publications and forbidden radio broadcasts like the BBC World Service piqued his interest in the West. Paired with a bond he formed with like-minded friend Stanislaw Kaplan, this period marked the start of Oleg's gradual ideological shift.

Examples

  • His mother's nonconformist attitude subtly encouraged questioning authority.
  • His grandmother’s covert religious faith revealed the depth of repression in the USSR.
  • His clandestine habit of listening to Western broadcasts ignited curiosity for alternative ideologies.

2. First-hand disillusionment in East Berlin

Oleg's doubts deepened during his early experiences outside Soviet borders. He witnessed the oppressive reality of East Berlin in 1961, where the Berlin Wall unfolded overnight, symbolizing not protection but imprisonment.

The grim scenes he observed, such as trenches dug to prevent vehicles from escaping and the deaths of East Germans attempting to flee to West Berlin, left a profound mark on him. These scenes mocked the narrative of the USSR as a socialist paradise. The stark disparity between communist ideology and its real-world implementation solidified his alienation.

Although deeply conflicted, Oleg's ingrained loyalty to the system prevented him from openly departing from his duties. However, realizing married KGB members were more likely to score overseas posts, he strategically married Yelena Akopian. This paved the way for his move to Denmark in 1966, where he further encountered Western freedoms and began consuming restricted Western literature and music.

Examples

  • Witnessing East Berlin workers building the Berlin Wall under duress.
  • Observing Soviet propaganda frame the Berlin Wall as a "protection" from the West.
  • His newfound love for Western classical music and literature in Denmark.

3. Missed signals in Denmark

In Denmark, Oleg sought to act on his dissent, but early attempts to contact local intelligence authorities failed. During a 1968 Soviet crackdown on the Prague Spring, he made an emotional phone call lambasting the USSR, knowing Danish intelligence was likely listening, but his signal was missed.

The Danish Intelligence Service (PET) mistakenly perceived Oleg's exploration of Copenhagen’s freedoms as merely personal indulgence. When PET staged a "honey trap," assuming he might have homosexual inclinations based on a previous misinterpreted incident, Oleg declined the bait—not because he wasn't interested in dissent, but because their assumptions were simply wrong.

Despite Danish intelligence tracking him and KGB officers noting suspicious activity, Oleg remained oblivious to being surveilled. His move back to Moscow seemed to end the potential for collaboration in Denmark, but it opened new doors upon his return.

Examples

  • His frustrated phone call during the Prague Spring as a signal to Danish intelligence.
  • PET’s unsuccessful "honey trap" to test his loyalty.
  • The KGB recalling Oleg prematurely from Denmark to avoid any risks.

4. MI6 steps in

In the 1970s, the British intelligence agency MI6 identified Oleg as a potential asset. This stemmed from a tip-off by his university friend Stanislaw Kaplan, who described Oleg as increasingly disillusioned.

When Oleg returned to Copenhagen in 1972, MI6 employed meticulous patience to gauge his readiness to cooperate. Gradually, subtle approaches via contacts such as Kaplan and later during badminton games with MI6 officials bore success. Oleg opened up, confirming his dismay with Soviet policies and willingness to switch sides to further his ideals.

This marked the consolidation of Oleg's role as a double agent. MI6, recognizing his unique value, facilitated discreet meetings while respecting Oleg’s cautious approach to avoid compromising his cover.

Examples

  • Kaplan’s crucial role in sharing Oleg’s mindset with Western intelligence.
  • MI6’s non-aggressive approach by starting with casual badminton meetups.
  • Oleg’s open discussion during a SAS hotel meeting, confirming his allegiance shift.

5. Risky information trade

As Oleg fully committed to MI6, he leveraged his KGB position to provide vital intel. MI6 learned extensively about Soviet espionage strategies, including methods to plant spies globally.

Oleg’s intricate smuggling methods—like using microfilm—kept MI6 informed of KGB tactics and Soviet perceptions of Western policies. This collaboration enriched Western defenses against Soviet interference, solidifying Oleg as one of MI6's most invaluable informants over the Cold War.

Balancing his KGB responsibilities and covert trade-offs wasn’t without personal cost. His marriage with Yelena deteriorated, symbolizing the strain of dual loyalties, prompting him to later remarry while maintaining his secrets.

Examples

  • Sharing KGB strategies on infiltrating Western institutions.
  • Smuggling microfilm for MI6 review and use.
  • Navigating the duality of KGB duties and secret collaboration.

6. The psychology of Soviet leaders

Oleg's intel reached beyond operational facts. His insights into Soviet leaders’ fear of a Western pre-emptive strike reshaped Cold War diplomacy. Paranoia underpinned Soviet policies at this time, with efforts like Operation RYAN showcasing their extreme anxiety.

Oleg’s revelations softened Western rhetoric, particularly that of President Reagan, to reduce Soviet overreactions. British leaders, including Margaret Thatcher, gained guidance from Oleg on behavior that might foster cooperation rather than hostility with Moscow.

This elevated Oleg from a mere informant to a bridge of mutual understanding between conflicting ideologies.

Examples

  • Soviet leaders saw Western aggression through lenses of constant suspicion.
  • Reagan’s shift in tone helped steer the Cold War from greater confrontation.
  • Thatcher followed Oleg’s advice for measured public portrayals of Soviet leaders.

7. Betrayal and endangerment

Oleg’s role faced unprecedented danger when a double agent infiltrated US intelligence. CIA operative Aldrich Ames exposed Oleg to the KGB in exchange for financial gain.

Despite KGB suspicions, Oleg showed immense resolve under interrogation, neither confessing nor exposing MI6's plans. His captivity marked a new, more perilous chapter, with the KGB keeping close watch as Oleg’s trust and courage were tested.

Examples

  • Aldrich Ames's betrayal fueled Soviet suspicions about double agents.
  • Oleg’s resilience under KGB drug-enhanced questioning sessions.
  • Living under near-constant surveillance upon release from interrogation.

8. The desperate escape

The famed escape plan, PIMLICO, came into action when Oleg—risking his life—reconnected with MI6. Distracting KGB agents and border officials, MI6 agents smuggled him out to safety, aided by clever distractions like potato chips and a baby’s diaper-changing theatrics.

Although a victory, the act separated him from his family, marking a bittersweet transition into exile in London.

Examples

  • Distracting sniffer dogs with chips during the Finnish border crossing.
  • A staged medical emergency to excuse diplomats’ drive to Finland.
  • A concealed Gordievsky evading KGB detection using MI6’s creative strategy.

9. The costs of safety

While Oleg’s escape secured his safety, the KGB’s retaliation trapped his family in Moscow. It wasn’t until 1991, with the USSR’s collapse, that Leila and their children joined him in London.

Personal losses persisted. Leila struggled to forgive Oleg for his betrayal of their trust, and their relationship broke down irrevocably. However, Oleg lived on to recount his tale and receive recognition from British institutions for his service.

Examples

  • KGB holding Leila as leverage post-escape.
  • Thatcher’s appeals for the family’s safe passage to Britain.
  • Oleg’s eventual accolades, including honors from the British royalty.

Takeaways

  1. Cultivate empathy to understand opposing perspectives, as Gordievsky’s insights into Soviet fears proved essential in easing tensions.
  2. Approach sensitive negotiations with thoughtfulness, respecting cultural nuances to foster long-term relationships.
  3. Value courage and conviction, even under pressure, as demonstrated in Gordievsky's unwavering choices despite immense personal and professional risks.

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