SPYCRAFT 101 207. Russia's Sleeper Agents Infiltrating the West with Shaun Walker
15 snips
Aug 4, 2025 
Shaun Walker, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for The Guardian and author, dives into the fascinating world of Russian sleeper agents. He discusses their intricate operations and psychological impacts, particularly on families. The history of the Bolsheviks' illegals program reveals the origins of espionage in the West, while personal stories highlight the sacrifices and dual lives of spies. Walker contrasts Soviet and Western intelligence tactics, exposing the covert struggles of agents amid Cold War tensions and the continued relevance of these operatives today.
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Family Shock Sparks Investigation
- Shaun Walker met the children of Boston illegals in 2016 and followed their legal fight to reclaim passports.
- Their shock at learning both parents were Russian spies inspired his deep dive into the program.
Piecing Together Closed Archives
- Walker combined interviews, rare memoirs, Ukrainian archives, and the Mitrokhin archive to reconstruct illegals history.
- The Mitrokhin files provided crucial corroboration where KGB archives remained closed.
Revolutionary Roots Of Illegals
- Bolshevik underground tradecraft became the blueprint for Soviet illegals almost immediately after 1917.
- Early illegals aimed to penetrate anti-Bolshevik networks and access excluded diplomatic secrets.
