True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics The Great Illegals, Part One: The Whistler | NKVD
Aug 12, 2025
Shaun Walker, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for The Guardian and author of 'The Illegals,' dives into the world of Russian espionage. He reveals the captivating story of Nikolai Khokhlov, a music-hall whistler turned deep-cover spy during World War II. The podcast explores Khokhlov's tense missions, the psychological strain of espionage, and a daring assassination plot against a Nazi governor in occupied Belarus. Walker's insights uncover the intricate balance of loyalty and deception, painting a vivid picture of spies navigating perilous times.
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Origins In Bolshevik Underground Tradecraft
- The illegals program originated from Bolshevik underground habits of pseudonyms and disguises used before 1917.
- Lenin's model of illegal operatives became the template for Soviet deep-cover espionage.
Illegals Filled Diplomatic Gaps
- The Soviet state repurposed committed multilingual communists as deep-cover spies because diplomatic cover was limited in the 1920s.
- Illegals filled intelligence gaps the Soviet Union could not cover via embassies.
Fear Shaped Soviet Espionage Strategy
- Stalin's fear of Nazi Germany and Japanese militarism drove expansion of repressive measures and intelligence efforts.
- The 1939 non-aggression pact with Germany temporarily complicated Soviet anti-fascist posture and spy priorities.
