Intelligence Squared The Illegals: A Secret History of Soviet Espionage, with Shaun Walker
Apr 13, 2025
Shaun Walker, an international correspondent for The Guardian with extensive experience in Russian affairs, discusses his book on Soviet espionage with journalist Carl Miller. They dive into the fascinating history of Russia’s deep cover spies and how these 'illegals' operated under false identities, revealing both astonishing successes and costly failures. The conversation covers the ongoing impact of this covert world on modern geopolitics, along with the psychological toll on spies who lived dual lives amidst state terror and political upheaval.
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Grigolevich's Impersonation
- Yosef Grigolevich, a Lithuanian-born Soviet illegal, fabricated a Costa Rican identity.
- He became the Costa Rican ambassador to Rome and even plotted to assassinate Tito.
Early Illegals' Adaptability
- Early illegals possessed remarkable adaptability and linguistic skills, making impersonation easier.
- Less travel and bureaucratic documentation facilitated identity changes.
Pairing Illegals
- The KGB paired illegals to mitigate loneliness and potential defections.
- They prioritized political reliability, average appearance, language skills, and pro-Soviet ideology in partners.
