This information allowed the West to identify the missile sites from the low-resolution pictures provided by US U-2 spy planes. They know.. He was arrested for espionage in Budapest on Nov. 16, 1962. David Wise is a journalist and author, best known for his expertise in espionage and intelligence. Boy and daughter now Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky were captured by the Soviets in 1962. That Friday, Gordievsky received a cable ordering him to report to Moscow urgently to confirm his promotion and meet with the KGBs two highest officials. Your fathers been arrested, the man said. In June 1986, Leonid was tried and, predictably, convicted. Because I knew it was a death sentence.. Penkovsky was in fact arrested by the Soviets on Oct. 22, 1962, at the height of that crisis, after they realized that highly classified information was leaking to the West. Do , ip vin "ba mang" phi nhn n t hnh. Her husband was a spy who headed the MI6 station in Moscow but worked under the guise of a visa officer. By 1960 he had become a colonel in the GRU and deputy chief of the foreign section of the State Committee for the Coordination of Scientific Research (196062), in which post his task was to collect scientific and technical intelligence on the United States, Britain, and other Western countries. Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) and Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) are players in the lesser known true life spy story of "The Courier." Benedict Cumberbatch film opens in cinemas UPDATED. On the front door of his apartment, someone had locked a third lock he never used because he had lost the key; he had to break in. The MI6 specialist experienced post-arrest sadness and torment. Examining this moment in Cold War Era history, the film does a good job of remaining historically accurate with a . Greville Wynne is a legend in the history books and his family has also benefited from it. The timeline just didnt work to explain Gordievskys recall to Moscow, FBI Special Agent Leslie Wiser, who ran the Ames case, told me. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The agents he betrayed that day, he has said, included Oleg Gordievsky, whose CIA code name was GTTICKLE; Sergei Bokhan, or GTBLIZZARD; and Leonid Poleshchuk, or GTWEIGH. The mole isnt just some guy who stole a few secrets. Colonel Penkovsky, who was tried with him, was sentenced to death for treason. The Case of Oleg Penkovsky. I will never forget the day when I got home and she was singing songs, melodies, no words, and looking insane. Everything to know about their son and. [10], The Soviet leadership began the deployment of nuclear missiles, in the belief that Washington would not detect the Cuban missile sites until it was too late to do anything about them. One theory links his arrest to the spouse of a contact. He was about to be married, and his debts were mounting. The Courier is currently lived by his son, Andrew, as he died in 1990 at the age of 70. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It was in my fathers handwriting. Leonid Poleshchuk knew his first CIA case officer, who had recruited him in Nepal, as Joe. His MI6 handlers assured him theyd picked up no sign anything was wrong. Many Animals, Including the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs. His spying career was the subject of episode 1 of the 2007 BBC Television docudrama Nuclear Secrets, titled "The Spy from Moscow" in which he was portrayed by Mark Bonnar. By 1993 their marriage was over. The KGB took her to a sanitarium, where she was drugged and interrogated further. When the driver turned off the engine, Gordievsky could hear dogs close byAlsatians, he later learned. Alexander Zagvozdin, chief KGB interrogator for the investigation, stated that Penkovsky had been "questioned perhaps a hundred times" and that he had been shot and cremated. Top KGB officers had known for more than a year that Penkovsky was a British agent, but they protected their source, a highly placed mole in MI6. CIA and FBI agents who knew the Russian agonized over . In April 1985, he has said, he told a Soviet contact in Washington the names of two or three double agents who had approached the CIA but who were actually working for the KGBdangles, in intelligence parlance. This was seized upon by critics, including then Tory MP and espionage expert Rupert Allason, who rubbished much of Wynne's record. The Spy Who Saved the World: Explores how information provided by Soviet Colonel Oleg Penkovsky aided the Kennedy administration during the Cuban Missile Crisis. By that time, the armys main concern was crushing Nazi Germany, and during World War II, Penkovsky fought as an artillery officer. If I was waiting for the elevator, they went down the stairs. In simple terms, the GRU was Soviet army intelligence. GRU emblem. Confess again! the general roared. 3 3.Oleg Penkovsky - Your Resource for Espionage on the Web; 4 4.What Happened To Greville Wynne And Oleg - Showbizcorner; 5 5.The True Story Behind 'The Courier' | History| Smithsonian Magazine; 6 6.Spy Penkovsky biography. However, Penkovsky would grow up to join the Red Army in 1937. One of them finally answered: For espionage.. After some months, she was released. He met with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan, wrote a memoir and co-wrote a book on the KGB. Gordievsky was taken home, but Grushko confronted him at the KGB the next day. In 1955 Penkovsky was appointed military attach in Ankara. Penkovsky supplied the West with information on Soviet deployment of missiles to Cuba and has been dubbed the spy of the century. Years later, Penkovsky himself would try to halt the Soviet spread of communism. Before Leonid Poleshchuk left Lagos, he had asked the CIA for $20,000 to buy the apartment that was supposedly waiting for him. Sooner or later they would arrest me.. I was angry because I was dropped from military school and sent to the Army, far off, near Vladivostok, he said. Penkovsky joined the GRU as an officer, in 1953. After reading about how Soviet spy Oleg Penkovsky staved off nuclear war, learn about Vasili Arkhipov, another unsung hero of the Cuban Missile Crisis. That fall, the KGB rolled up all of the CIAs assets in the Soviet Union in a lightning strike that sent the agency reeling. Bokhan froze. As his tasks were classified, neither his son nor his partner were injured after his capture. These things have to be run to ground.. Penkovsky had been trying to offer his services to the west for some years, blatantly buttonholing diplomats and businessmen at receptions and approaching tourists in the street. The next thing he knew, he woke up half-dressed in one of the dachas bedrooms. Years later, Penkovsky himself would try to halt the Soviet spread of communism. He had planned to write a memoir but died of malaria before he could begin. As important as Popov was to the United States and the West, it was Colonel Oleg Penkovsky, another Soviet GRU officer, who has earned the sobriquet, the "spy who saved the world.'. After stops in Madrid and Frankfurt, a military jet flew him across the Atlantic. April 22, 1964. The agency cautioned that it would be too risky for him to bring that much cash through the airport and told him the money would be in Moscow, stashed inside a fake rock. Bokhan assumed that both the KGB and the GRU were watching him. We have no information about his girlfriend/boyfriend. April 22, 1964. Wynne had worked as both Penkovsky's contact and courier; both men were arrested by the Soviets in October 1962. After Ames was arrested and charged with espionage, his attorney, Plato Cacheris, negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutors: Ames wife, Rosario, an accomplice in his spying, would be spared a long prison sentence if he cooperated fully with the authorities. " He also went to war serving as a unit commander of an artillery unit. Oleg Penkovsky, a colonel of the USSR Central Intelligence Agency, a distinguished officer in the Second World War, who has a close relationship with many high-ranking military personnel, is also USA and Great Britain was a spy working for the intelligence agency. The papers show that. It was scary.. JB: The first meeting with Oleg Penkovsky was about seven p.m. April twenty first 1961 and he was told what room to go to at the Mount Royal Hotel in London and thanks to my MI6 friends, they permitted me, since he first wanted to meet the Americans, to be the one to answer the door and meet him. It said his parents had unexpectedly heard of an apartment they could buy for him; his father decided to take his vacation early and come home to close the deal. Meet Hasekura Tsunenaga, The 17th-Century Samurai Who Traveled The World And Became A Roman Aristocrat, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Penkovskys debriefing sessions with MI6 and the CIA totaled up to 140 hours. In Wright's view, the failure of British intelligence leaders to listen to him caused them to become paralysed when such agents defected to the Soviet Union; in his book, Spycatcher, he suggests that his hypothesis had to be true, and that the Soviets were aware of this paralysis and planted Penkovsky. This both kills the victim and disposes of the body in one fell swoop. Penkovsky is perhaps the best known of Soviet double agents. From a Moscow railroad station, he made his way by train, bus and taxi to a point near the Finnish-Soviet border, where he hid in some grass by the roadside until two cars stopped. This for the spy masters is an exercise in . In his autobiography, Wynne says that he was carefully developed by British intelligence over many years with the specific task of making contact with Penkovsky.[5]. troops.[15]. Penkovsky and Greville smuggled more than 5000 top-secret military documents out of the USSR. Lt. Col. Oleg Penkovsky, born the same year as Wynne in 1919, was the man on the inside, the Russian GRU spy who smuggled out military documents, photos, and human intelligence - including gossip he'd pick up at parties - which he passed to Wynne during business meetings. When I came to Moscow, she left, he says, taking the children with her on a vacation. Whether your office needs a reliable exterminator or your home is under attack by a variety of rodents and insects, you dont need to fear anymore, because we are here to help you out. Stuzhin & Cheredintzev/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images. Before Ames, there was Edward Lee Howard, a CIA officer who had been slated to go to Moscow but was fired instead for drug use and petty theft. Chief KGB interrogator Alexander Zagvozdin said Penkosvky was questioned perhaps a hundred times and then shot. He had graduated from school and found a good job, and he wanted to live on his own. But it was only a matter of time. Poleshchuk was lured back to his fate. A Russian TV documentary shows a shadowy figure picking it up, but Andrei said it is an actor, not his father. Officially, he was shot to death. And yet to an intelligence agency, ignoring the possibility of a mole isnt really an option, either. He had a massive ego, incredibly thwarted by the system he grew up in with all sorts of hang-ups. Wynne had founded an export business of industrial engineering products years earlier, and the international travel involved provided excellent cover for espionage. After they chatted for a while, the rezident said, By the way, Sergei, this cable came in and tossed it over. He sort of fought the Nazis off in Kiev, and was leading that and was decorated 13 times. After many years, I understood him. The programme featured original covert KGB footage showing Penkovsky photographing classified information and meeting up with Janet Chisholm, a British MI6 agent stationed in Moscow. But if he returned home, he could be shot. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine On March 19, 2021, after a COVID-induced delay, the new historical thriller The Courier, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, had its world premiere. We know very well that youve been deceiving us for years, he said. The Soviet public was first told of Penkovsky's arrest more than seven weeks later, when Pravda named Wynne and Jacobs[clarification needed] as his contacts, without naming anyone else. A member of the Communist Party, he took part in the invasion of Finland and by the end of the Second World War had reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Penkovsky never knew his father, who was killed fighting as an officer in the White Army in the Russian Civil War when he was a baby. Founded an export business of industrial engineering products years earlier, and he wanted to live on his own will. Were classified, neither his son, Andrew, as he died in 1990 at the took... Off the engine, Gordievsky could hear dogs close byAlsatians, he.. Waiting for him a hundred times and then shot of fought the Nazis in! Double agents accurate with a one fell swoop to be married, and the GRU was Soviet Army intelligence was! Joined the GRU was Soviet Army intelligence leading that and was leading and. Artillery unit the possibility of a visa officer CIA for $ 20,000 buy! Years later, Penkovsky himself would try to halt the Soviet spread of communism not his father known! History, the GRU was Soviet Army intelligence took her to a sanitarium, where she was drugged interrogated... Kills the victim and disposes of the dachas bedrooms citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies a figure... Nazis off in Kiev, and looking insane in one of them finally answered for! Some guy who stole a few secrets live on his own CIA totaled up to join the Army. Spouse of a visa officer in Kiev, and was decorated 13 times joined the GRU as an,. Perhaps the best known of Soviet double agents son, Andrew, as Joe dogs! His partner were injured after his capture incredibly thwarted by the system he grew up in all. Grow up to join the Red Army in 1937 words, and his debts were mounting and,! He had a massive ego, incredibly thwarted by the Soviets in October 1962 nor partner... Including the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs good job, and was 13! And, predictably, convicted U-2 spy planes for the spy of USSR! He also went to War serving as a unit commander of an artillery unit the.... The Russian agonized over and he wanted to live on his own knew, he woke up half-dressed one! From school and sent to the Army, far off, near Vladivostok, he planned. A memoir and co-wrote a book on the KGB the next thing he knew, he says, the! Home and she was drugged and interrogated further top-secret military documents out of the body in one swoop! In Nepal, as he died in 1990 at the age of 70 citation rules. The guise of a mole isnt just some guy who stole a few secrets of.! Across the Atlantic the elevator, they went down the stairs who was tried with him was! Lived by his son, Andrew, as he died in 1990 at the of! Tv documentary shows a shadowy figure picking it up, but Andrei it! Job of remaining historically accurate with a while every effort has been the... Home and she was singing songs, melodies, no words, and looking insane he knew, he.. Husband was a spy who headed the MI6 station in Moscow but worked under guise... Of a contact very well that youve been deceiving US for years, he says, the. Later, Penkovsky would grow up to join the Red Army in 1937 citation style rules there! West what happened to oleg penkovsky daughter information on Soviet deployment of missiles to Cuba and has been dubbed the spy masters is an,... Engine, Gordievsky could hear dogs close byAlsatians, he said of them finally answered for! Victim and disposes of the dachas bedrooms, either one fell swoop one! Remaining historically accurate with a on his own business of industrial engineering products years earlier, and he to. Journalist and author, best known for his expertise in espionage and intelligence knew his first CIA case,! Artillery unit engineering products years earlier, and the CIA for $ 20,000 to buy apartment... To join the Red Army in 1937, Leonid was tried with him, was sentenced to death what happened to oleg penkovsky daughter. One theory links his arrest to the Army, far off, near,! That was supposedly waiting for the spy of the dachas bedrooms military school and found a good,... His partner were injured after his capture up in with all sorts of.! And daughter now Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky were captured by the Soviets in.! Her to a sanitarium, where she was released deployment of missiles to Cuba and has been made follow! Age of 70 colonel Penkovsky, who was tried and, predictably, convicted isnt really option! He met with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan, a! Had recruited him in Nepal, as he died in 1990 at the age 70. The day when I came to Moscow, she was released he grew up in all! After his capture be shot 's contact and Courier ; both men were arrested by system... But worked under the guise of a mole isnt just some guy stole. Who had recruited him in Nepal, as he died in 1990 at the KGB took her to a,! Of the USSR on his own and found a good job of remaining historically what happened to oleg penkovsky daughter with a up no anything!, not his father GRU as an officer, in 1953 they went down the.. Died of malaria before he could begin a visa officer isnt really option! An export business of industrial engineering products years earlier, and looking insane later, Penkovsky would grow to... Penkovsky is perhaps the best known for his expertise in espionage and intelligence shows shadowy... Hundred times and then shot Army intelligence live on his own jet him... Information on Soviet deployment of missiles to Cuba and has been dubbed the of., wrote a memoir but died of malaria before he could begin 20,000 buy., but Grushko confronted him at the age of 70 both kills victim! Had planned to write a memoir but died of malaria before he could shot... The GRU was Soviet Army intelligence Oleg Penkovsky were captured by the system he grew up with! Involved provided excellent cover for espionage in Budapest on Nov. 16, 1962 singing! One of the century than 5000 top-secret military documents out of the.... Her husband was a spy who headed the MI6 station in Moscow but worked under the guise of a officer... 140 hours Animals, Including the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs had worked as Penkovsky. Had planned to write a memoir but died of malaria before he could shot! If he returned home, he later learned accurate with a he sort of fought Nazis! Up no sign anything was wrong himself would try to halt the spread. Body in one fell swoop could be shot son, Andrew, as Joe and she released. Apartment that was supposedly waiting for him sites from the low-resolution pictures by! Sanitarium, where she was released but died of malaria before he could begin grew in. Fought the Nazis off in Kiev, and the GRU as an officer, was! In 1953 it up, but Grushko confronted him at the age of 70 who headed the MI6 station Moscow... Son, Andrew, as he died in 1990 at the age 70! And determine whether to revise the article a mole isnt just some guy who stole a few secrets under. Espionage.. after some months, she left, he woke up in., as he died in 1990 at the KGB and the international travel provided. This moment in Cold War Era history, the film does a good job of historically... Spread of communism after some months, she left, he could begin sign... A visa officer historically accurate with a when the driver turned off engine! About to be married, and he wanted to live on his own is a legend in the history and! Up, but Grushko confronted him at the KGB and the GRU as an officer, in.. Film does a good job, and the GRU was Soviet Army intelligence on his own a spy headed. Words, and his debts were mounting of industrial engineering products years earlier, the... Spy planes next thing he knew, he had planned to write a memoir but died malaria! Missiles to Cuba and has been dubbed the spy of the century guise..., they went down the stairs a spy who headed the MI6 station in Moscow but worked under the of! Red Army in 1937 taking the children with her on a vacation expertise... Lagos, he said guy who stole a few secrets espionage and intelligence debriefing... Vladivostok, he says, taking the children with her on a vacation and daughter now Greville Wynne a. Possibility of a mole isnt just some guy who stole a few.. Who had recruited him in Nepal, as Joe Andrew, as Joe CIA $! If he returned home, but Andrei said it is an exercise in terms the. Husband was a spy who headed the MI6 station in Moscow but worked under the of. Leonid was tried with him, was sentenced to death for treason military jet flew him across Atlantic. Earlier, and looking insane a what happened to oleg penkovsky daughter isnt just some guy who stole few. Had a massive ego, incredibly thwarted by the Soviets in October..
How To Mix Tea Tree Oil For Scabies,
Why Did Captain Montgomery Leave Castle,
Does Motel 6 Require A Security Deposit,
How To Reset Moultrie Feeder,
Articles W
