The Rest Is Classified EXCLUSIVE: The Spy Who Smuggled Gordievsky Out of Russia
8 snips
Sep 25, 2025 In a thrilling account, a former MI6 officer recounts the audacious 1985 escape of Oleg Gordievsky, the West's top Russian spy. Discover how the team managed to elude a KGB surveillance unit while hiding Gordievsky in the trunk of their car. Hear about the nail-biting moments of panic during rendezvous and the strategic maneuvers that kept them one step ahead. Also, learn about the high stakes involved in navigating Soviet traffic and the clever tactics used to sneak past border security.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Last-Minute Bush Pickup
- Raymond Asquith found Gordievsky hiding in bushes near the Nenningrad–Wyborg road after Gordievsky panicked and left the rendezvous point.
- The pickup was hastily executed and Gordievsky climbed into the car boot within two minutes amid nearby KGB cars accelerating around the corner.
Close Call With KGB Cars
- Asquith describes narrowly avoiding detection by KGB cars that sped around the corner ahead of them, which could have exposed the team.
- Despite close calls, they managed to be on the road and out within two minutes using prepared equipment and rapid action.
Sandwiches Plan Abandoned
- The planned signal (Asquith's wife with a tray of sandwiches) was abandoned when events sped up and nothing was said at the rendezvous.
- Asquith simply pointed to the car boot and Gordievsky understood to get in immediately.