The Rest Is Classified 84. The Man Who Saved The World: A Friendship Shattered (Ep 5)
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Sep 21, 2025 Oleg Gordievsky faces a life-altering decision as he is recalled to Moscow, leaving MI6 scrambling. The pressures mount as they explore escape plans complicated by personal sacrifice, including leaving his family behind. Intriguing details emerge about KGB interrogation tactics and the tense atmosphere surrounding his impending return. An absurdly precise recognition signal plays a crucial role in the escape plans. As tensions escalate, a literary taunt on a bugged phone creates a thrilling cliffhanger, leaving listeners eager for more.
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The Ominous Telegram
- Oleg Gordievsky received an urgent telegram in May 1985 ordering him back to Moscow two days later, which immediately felt ominous to him.
- He convened an emergency meeting with MI6 and faced a wrenching choice between returning and defecting under intense uncertainty.
Signs Of Suspicion Without Arrest
- Returning to Moscow revealed early signs of surveillance: extra locked door and airport checks made Gordievsky certain his apartment had been entered and bugged.
- He inferred suspicion without arrest, which shaped a risky strategy of trying to 'brazen it out' while under watch.
Drugged Interrogation And Fragmented Memory
- The KGB drugged Gordievsky at a meeting, leaving him with only fragmented memories of an interrogation demanding a confession and naming his MI6 recruiter.
- He woke next morning in his undergarments and realized they believed they had evidence but still sought a formal confession.
