"The Spy and the Traitor" by Ben Macintyre tells the incredible true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became one of the most valuable double agents for British intelligence during the Cold War. This gripping account reads like a spy thriller but is all the more fascinating because it actually happened.
Gordievsky's journey from dedicated KGB officer to disillusioned defector had profound impacts on international relations and helped bring about the end of the Cold War. His story provides a unique window into the shadowy world of espionage and the high-stakes battle between East and West during one of the most tense periods in modern history.
Oleg Gordievsky's Early Life and Career
A KGB Family Legacy
Oleg Gordievsky was born in 1938 into a family with deep ties to Soviet intelligence. His father, Anton, was a longtime KGB officer who had likely participated in Stalin's Great Purge in the 1930s, which saw hundreds of thousands of innocent people murdered as "enemies of the state." Though Anton never spoke of these dark events, he took great pride in his KGB service and often wore his uniform even on weekends.
It was expected that Oleg and his older brother Vasili would follow in their father's footsteps and join the KGB. This was common for children of KGB officers - the organization valued loyalty and family connections. So from a young age, Oleg's career path seemed predetermined.
Early Seeds of Doubt
However, even as a child, there were signs that Oleg was not entirely comfortable with Soviet ideology. His mother was a gentle nonconformist who kept her distance from official dogma. His grandmother secretly maintained her religious faith, which was forbidden in the atheist Soviet state. These subtle influences planted early seeds of doubt in young Oleg's mind about the communist system.
Education and Exposure to Western Ideas
At age 17, Gordievsky enrolled at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the top university for future diplomats, politicians and spies. This coincided with a period of slight liberalization after Stalin's death in 1953. Under new leader Nikita Khrushchev, some of the harshest Soviet policies were relaxed.
For Gordievsky, this meant access to foreign newspapers and magazines in the university library. He began secretly listening to Western radio broadcasts like the BBC World Service, which was still forbidden. He also formed a close friendship with a fellow student named Stanislaw Kaplan, who shared his skepticism about communism. Though neither had rejected the system outright, their private discussions nurtured a growing disillusionment.
First Posting Abroad Reinforces Doubts
After completing his studies in 1961, Gordievsky interviewed for a position with the KGB and was posted to East Berlin for six months before officially starting. It was there that he witnessed the sudden construction of the Berlin Wall, which went up virtually overnight in August 1961.
For the 22-year-old Gordievsky, seeing the wall being built was a pivotal moment. He recognized it for what it was - a prison wall to keep East Germans trapped in the "socialist paradise" of East Germany. He watched as workers dug trenches along the perimeter to prevent vehicles from crossing. In the coming years, many East Germans would die trying to escape over the fortifications or across the barrier canals.
This firsthand experience of communist oppression deeply affected Gordievsky and reinforced his growing doubts about the Soviet system. However, his ingrained sense of duty and obedience meant that when he was summoned to report for KGB training in July 1962, he dutifully returned to Moscow to begin his career as a Soviet intelligence officer.
Growing Disillusionment and First Steps Toward Defection
Seeking Freedom Through Foreign Posting
Though Gordievsky had serious misgivings about the Soviet system, he was not yet ready to openly break with it. Instead, he devised a plan to gain some breathing room from the oppressive regime. After completing his official KGB training, he deliberately sought out a position that would post him outside the Soviet Union.
Knowing that married KGB officers were more likely to receive foreign assignments, Gordievsky quickly married Yelena Akopian, who also harbored doubts about the regime. His strategy paid off, and in January 1966 the newlyweds were posted to Copenhagen, where Gordievsky's official role was to manage the KGB's network of undercover spies in Denmark.
Exposure to Western Culture
Living in Denmark provided Gordievsky with unprecedented access to Western literature, music, and ideas that were forbidden back home. He eagerly consumed books and classical music, developing a deep appreciation for Western cultural values. The contrast with Soviet society became increasingly stark in his mind.
After two years in Copenhagen, Gordievsky's alienation from Soviet ideology had transformed into outright loathing. The turning point came in 1968, when the Soviet Union violently crushed the Prague Spring reform movement in Czechoslovakia. Protesters gathered outside the Soviet embassy in Denmark, and Gordievsky felt a deep sense of shame over his country's actions.
Attempting to Signal Western Intelligence
Gordievsky decided it was time to act on his changing beliefs. In a calculated move, he called his wife from the embassy to rail against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. He knew the embassy phones were tapped by Danish intelligence, and hoped this would signal his willingness to cooperate with the West.
Unfortunately, the Danish Intelligence Service (PET) completely missed this clue. They had Gordievsky under surveillance and suspected he was a KGB agent, but misinterpreted some of his behavior. When they attempted to set up a "honey trap" for him with a male agent at a diplomatic party, Gordievsky unwittingly foiled their plans by not taking the bait.
Confused by the increased surveillance on Gordievsky, the KGB decided to recall him to Moscow in 1970 rather than risk any potential compromise. Gordievsky was frustrated that no Western agency had made contact with him. Little did he know, Britain's MI6 had already flagged him as a person of interest based on information from his old friend Stanislaw Kaplan, who had defected to the West.
Recruitment by MI6
A Carefully Orchestrated Approach
After Gordievsky returned to Moscow in 1970, he quickly rose through the KGB ranks and was posted back to Denmark in 1972. This gave MI6 the opportunity they had been waiting for to make contact.
In November 1973, Gordievsky's old friend Stanislaw Kaplan suddenly appeared at his door in Copenhagen. Over lunch, Kaplan told stories of his defection and life in the West. Gordievsky was sympathetic and did not report the meeting to his KGB superiors - a telling sign for MI6.
Based on this, Richard Bromhead, the MI6 station chief in Denmark, decided to approach Gordievsky directly. He engineered a "chance" encounter at Gordievsky's regular morning badminton game and arranged to meet for lunch a few days later.
At that initial meeting, Gordievsky correctly assumed Bromhead was working for British intelligence. Though they had a pleasant conversation, Bromhead did not reveal his true purpose. He waited eight months before approaching Gordievsky again at the badminton court to suggest another meeting.
The Turning Point
This second meeting took place at the bar of Copenhagen's new SAS hotel. This time, Gordievsky was much more forthcoming. When Bromhead casually inquired about who gathered political intelligence in Gordievsky's KGB section, Gordievsky surprised him by openly admitting it was himself. He also revealed that he had not reported their previous meeting to the KGB.
This openness convinced MI6 that Gordievsky was ready to become an asset. They arranged to meet regularly in a secure location, with Gordievsky agreeing to pass along inside information about KGB operations. The British gave him the code name SUNBEAM.
A Dangerous Double Life Begins
Gordievsky now began living a perilous double life. Twice a month, he would sneak away to meet his MI6 handler in a secret apartment for debriefings that could last up to two hours. There, he provided invaluable intelligence about KGB methods, operations, and attempts to undermine Western institutions.
He even began smuggling out reels of microfilm from the Soviet embassy for MI6 to copy. The British were elated - they had never before had such a highly-placed mole inside Soviet intelligence. To show their appreciation, they even passed along a personal thank-you note from the head of MI6.
Personal Complications
A Failing Marriage and New Romance
While Gordievsky's professional life as a double agent was thriving, his personal life became increasingly complicated. His marriage to Yelena was struggling, as she refused to cook for him or have children. Divorce was frowned upon in Soviet society and would have damaged his KGB career.
Around this time, Gordievsky was introduced to Leila Aliyeva, the 28-year-old daughter of a KGB general who was working for the World Health Organization in Denmark. The two quickly fell in love and began an affair.
Gordievsky desperately wanted to confide in Leila about his secret work for MI6, but knew he could never risk sharing such dangerous information. This need for secrecy would eventually take a toll on their relationship.
Returning to Moscow
In 1978, Gordievsky's posting in Denmark came to an end and he was recalled to Moscow. MI6 was concerned about losing contact with their prized asset and devised an elaborate escape plan codenamed PIMLICO in case Gordievsky ever needed to quickly flee the Soviet Union.
The plan involved a series of signals and rendezvous points, culminating in MI6 smuggling Gordievsky across the Finnish border in the trunk of a diplomatic car. While Gordievsky appreciated the effort, he felt the plan was too risky and hoped to find his own way back to the West.
Career Setback and Second Marriage
Back in Moscow, Gordievsky divorced Yelena in 1979, which as expected resulted in a career setback. He was demoted to a personnel section writing histories of Soviet espionage - a position with little access to current intelligence.
However, he used this time productively by enrolling in English language courses. He also married Leila that year and they soon had two daughters.
By 1981, Gordievsky had maneuvered his way into a posting at the Soviet embassy in London. While waiting for approval to leave, he took advantage of his access at KGB headquarters to study up on their operations in Britain - valuable information for his MI6 handlers.
Finally, in June 1982, Gordievsky and his family flew to London to begin his new assignment. He was eager to resume his clandestine work for British intelligence, not realizing the crucial role he would soon play in Cold War history.
Gordievsky's Impact on the Cold War
Providing Crucial Psychological Insight
Unlike many spies who simply pass along names or documents, Gordievsky provided MI6 with deep insight into the psychology and decision-making of Soviet leaders. This proved invaluable as tensions between East and West reached dangerous levels in the early 1980s.
One of Gordievsky's most important revelations was that Soviet leaders genuinely feared the West would launch a nuclear first strike. In 1981, the KGB launched Operation RYAN - their largest intelligence gathering effort of the Cold War - to detect any signs of an impending Western attack.
This information was critical, as the rhetoric from the US under President Reagan had become increasingly aggressive, with Reagan famously calling the USSR an "evil empire." Armed with Gordievsky's insights, Western leaders realized they needed to tone down their language to avoid accidentally provoking a Soviet pre-emptive strike.
Shaping Communication Between East and West
Gordievsky played a key role in improving communication between the two sides, potentially averting disaster. When Margaret Thatcher won re-election as British Prime Minister in 1983, the Soviets were dismayed, believing her Conservative government would be hostile to them.
However, Gordievsky provided detailed briefings on how Thatcher should interact with Soviet leaders to build trust. He advised her to be friendlier in her public statements about Soviet officials, knowing they were easily offended and quick to become defensive.
At the same time, MI6 fed Gordievsky information to include in his reports back to Moscow, making him appear highly effective at his job. This included insights on British politicians' personalities and suggested topics for discussions.
In essence, Gordievsky was shaping the dialogue between East and West from both sides, helping to reduce tensions and build understanding. His efforts likely played a significant role in thawing Cold War relations and moving toward eventual peace.
Betrayal and Return to Moscow
A Mole in the CIA
In May 1985, just as Gordievsky reached the pinnacle of his career by being appointed KGB rezident (station chief) in London, he received an urgent summons back to Moscow. This was highly unusual and immediately raised suspicions that his cover may have been blown.
Despite the risk, Gordievsky decided to comply with the order rather than defecting immediately. Upon arrival in Moscow, he was taken to a KGB compound, drugged, and interrogated about spying for the British. Though he refused to confess, he was demoted and placed under surveillance.
It wasn't until years later that the source of the leak was uncovered. The CIA, eager to identify MI6's high-level Soviet source, had tasked officer Aldrich Ames with uncovering Gordievsky's identity. Unbeknownst to them, Ames was himself a Soviet double agent who passed this information directly to the KGB.
Unlike Gordievsky, who was motivated by ideology, Ames betrayed his country purely for money. He ultimately received millions of dollars from the Soviets for his treachery.
A Desperate Situation
Now trapped in Moscow and under constant KGB surveillance, Gordievsky grew increasingly anxious. He knew it was only a matter of time before the KGB gathered enough evidence to arrest him for treason - a charge that would certainly result in execution.
His only hope was to somehow signal MI6 to activate the PIMLICO escape plan they had devised years earlier. But with no way to contact his handlers, Gordievsky wasn't even sure if the British were still willing or able to extract him from the Soviet Union.
As the pressure mounted, Gordievsky realized he would have to risk everything on one desperate attempt to escape. The alternative was certain death at the hands of the KGB. But fleeing would mean abandoning his wife Leila and their two young daughters - a heart-wrenching choice he wasn't sure he could make.
The Great Escape
Activating PIMLICO
After weeks of agonizing, Gordievsky decided he had no choice but to attempt an escape. On July 16, 1985, he put the first phase of operation PIMLICO into action. Wearing the prearranged grey cap and carrying a Safeway shopping bag, he positioned himself in front of a Moscow bakery at the designated time.
To his immense relief, an MI6 officer soon walked past eating a Mars bar - the signal that his message had been received and the escape plan was a go. The intricate gears of PIMLICO began turning as MI6 officers in Moscow scrambled to set the extraction in motion.
A Painful Decision
Gordievsky knew he had to determine if his wife Leila could be trusted to come along. Away from possible KGB listening devices, he broached the subject of fleeing to Britain with their children. To his dismay, Leila dismissed the idea out of hand.
With a heavy heart, Gordievsky realized he would have to leave his family behind. Including them in the escape attempt was simply too risky - if Leila changed her mind or the children inadvertently revealed something, it would mean certain death for all of them.
A Daring Border Crossing
Three days later, Gordievsky set out alone for the Finnish border, using his KGB training to lose the agents tailing him. At the rendezvous point, he was picked up by MI6 officers posing as a vacationing family, complete with a baby for added cover.
Gordievsky was hidden in the trunk as they approached the border crossing. To mask his scent from sniffer dogs, one of the agents cleverly scattered some pungent British potato chips on the ground. For good measure, they even changed the baby's diaper on top of the trunk where Gordievsky was hidden.
The ruse worked perfectly. Once safely across the border, the car erupted with the triumphant sounds of Sibelius' Finlandia - Gordievsky had made it to freedom against incredible odds.
It was an act of astounding bravery and ingenuity by both Gordievsky and the MI6 team. Even today, many Russians find it hard to believe that British intelligence would risk using a baby as part of such a high-stakes operation. But the audacious plan had succeeded in spiriting away one of the most valuable double agents in history.
Life in Exile
A Bittersweet Victory
Though Gordievsky had achieved the seemingly impossible by escaping the KGB's clutches, his victory was tempered by crushing personal loss. Safe in London but separated from his family, he soon fell into a deep depression.
Meanwhile, his wife Leila and their daughters faced a harsh existence back in the Soviet Union. Furious at Gordievsky's betrayal, the KGB essentially held them hostage, refusing to allow them to leave the country. It was a cruel form of revenge against the man who had humiliated them.
Efforts at Reunion
For years, MI6 ran an operation codenamed HETMAN in an attempt to reunite Gordievsky with his family. Even British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher personally lobbied Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on the issue whenever they met.
But it wasn't until 1991 that a breakthrough finally came. Vadim Bakatin, appointed as the last head of the KGB before its dissolution, decided to make a symbolic gesture by allowing Gordievsky's family to leave for Britain. On September 6, 1991 - just months before the Soviet Union itself collapsed - Leila and the children arrived in London.
A Relationship Beyond Repair
Sadly, the years of separation and strain had taken too great a toll on Gordievsky's marriage. Leila was furious that he had maintained the lie about being an innocent, loyal KGB officer even after defecting. Though she had long suspected the truth, the confirmation of his double life was too much to forgive.
Despite finally achieving the family reunion he had longed for, Gordievsky found there was no repairing the relationship. He and Leila divorced in 1993, adding a final bitter note to his escape saga.
A New Life in the Shadows
Gordievsky's life in exile has been marked by a strange mix of acclaim and isolation. He has been widely honored for his contributions to ending the Cold War, even receiving recognition from the Queen in 2007. He's met with world leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and written extensively on Soviet espionage.
Yet he has also lived a somewhat lonely existence, still under MI6 protection in a quiet London suburb. His incredible story remains unknown to most of his neighbors.
Gordievsky paid an enormous personal price for his principled stand against Soviet oppression. But there's no doubt that his courage and sacrifices helped change the course of history, hastening the end of the Cold War and potentially averting nuclear catastrophe.
Final Thoughts
The story of Oleg Gordievsky is a remarkable tale of conviction, courage and sacrifice in the face of totalitarian oppression. His journey from dedicated KGB officer to disillusioned defector encapsulates the moral struggle many faced during the Cold War era.
Gordievsky's decision to risk everything - his career, his family, his very life - in order to undermine a system he had come to see as evil was an act of profound moral courage. The intelligence he provided to the West was instrumental in helping Western leaders understand the Soviet mindset and avoid potentially catastrophic misunderstandings.
Yet Gordievsky's story is also a deeply human one, filled with painful choices and lasting regrets. His daring escape from the Soviet Union reads like a Hollywood thriller, but came at the cost of abandoning his wife and young children. Though eventually reunited, the damage to those relationships proved irreparable.
In many ways, Gordievsky embodies both the idealism and the tragedy of the Cold War era. His principled stand against totalitarianism helped hasten the fall of the Soviet regime. But like many who found themselves caught between East and West, he paid a hefty personal price for his convictions.
Today, as tensions between Russia and the West are again on the rise, Gordievsky's story feels newly relevant. It reminds us of the human element behind geopolitical conflicts - the individual men and women who must navigate treacherous moral territory in times of ideological struggle.
Gordievsky's legacy is a complex one. He is rightly honored as a hero who helped prevent nuclear war and hasten the end of Soviet oppression. Yet he also serves as a cautionary tale about the personal costs of such principled action. His story is ultimately one of both triumph and tragedy - a very human tale set against the sweeping backdrop of one of history's great conflicts.
As the world faces new ideological battles and resurgent authoritarianism, Gordievsky's courage in standing up for his beliefs - even at great personal cost - remains an inspiring example. His story is a powerful reminder that individuals can indeed change the course of history, but that such actions often come with a heavy price.