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49. The Man Who Tried To Kill The KGB: A Traitor in the Kremlin (Ep 1)

30 snips
May 25, 2025
Discover the thrilling tale of Vasily Mitrokhin, a disillusioned KGB archivist who daringly stole top-secret documents to expose his former masters. His meticulously copied files became a weapon against the KGB, reshaping our understanding of its global operations. Delve into the escapades of lesser-known spies and their perilous journeys, as Mitrokhin navigates a world fraught with peril while working with MI6. The story uncovers the hidden dynamics of espionage and the personal sacrifices made in the name of truth.
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Mitrokhin Walks Into Embassy

  • Vasily Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist, walked into the British Embassy in Vilnius in shabby clothes carrying secret files.
  • Despite initial skepticism, a young Russian-speaking diplomat recognized the value of his information and began the handover process.
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MI6’s 'Odd Couple' Meet Mitrokhin

  • MI6 sent two agents to meet Mitrokhin: a veteran officer and a Russian-born agent with a 'superpower' to detect spies.
  • The Russian agent and Mitrokhin developed a cautious but effective working relationship.
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Stealing the KGB Archives

  • Mitrokhin stole the deepest KGB secrets over 12 years by copying archives during a building move.
  • His access gave detailed knowledge of agents, operations, and deep cover spies, rare in espionage history.
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