True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics Tradecraft, Part 11
Jan 13, 2026
In this insightful discussion, Sean Walker, an international correspondent and author known for covering Russia, reveals the secret training of NKVD spy Nikolai Khochlov, who impersonated a Nazi officer for a high-stakes assassination. Dr. Jenny Benham, an expert in medieval diplomacy, shares fascinating tales of household spies who gathered intelligence and sometimes turned into assassins. The blend of historical and modern espionage techniques highlights the ever-evolving art of tradecraft, making for a captivating exploration of secrets both ancient and contemporary.
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Deep Undercover Training Pays Off
- Nikolai Khochlov trained for a year to pass as a German officer and assassinate the Nazi governor of Belarus.
- He lived among Germans, studied propaganda, and tested his cover in POW camps to perfect mannerisms and language.
Household Servants Used As Spies
- Medieval rulers planted servants inside households to gather intelligence and even to attempt assassinations.
- Jenny Benham cites a 1220 spy report and an 11th-century attempt on Count Hugh as early examples.
Disguise Enables A Daring Extraction
- Patrick Crinion, an MI6 mole inside Irish police, helped extract IRA leader Sean McSteerphon by posing as medical staff and using a police ambulance.
- The covert removal included a helicopter transfer to a secure hospital after a violent struggle.
