Reportedly, Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB double agent who defected to Britain, has passed away at the age of 86. He was known as Britain’s most valuable spy inside Russia’s intelligence agencies. His death occurred at his residence in Surrey, and the circumstances surrounding it are not deemed suspicious.
Gordievsky, a former colonel in the KGB, served as a double agent for many years, providing crucial intelligence to both MI6 and MI5 in the UK. Following suspicions from Moscow in 1985, he fled to Britain under police protection, narrowly escaping arrest, trial, and potentially a firing squad by being smuggled across the Finnish border in the trunk of a car. During his time as the KGB resident in London, he warned British authorities about the Soviet Union’s paranoia regarding a potential surprise attack by the West, leading NATO to modify its military exercise and avert a crisis.
In recognition of his contributions, Gordievsky was honored by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 with the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, the same title associated with fictional spy James Bond. His intelligence led to the expulsion of 25 Soviet agents operating covertly in the UK. Former Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe lauded Gordievsky’s defection as a significant achievement for British security forces. Additionally, Gordievsky has authored several books detailing the KGB’s operations.
The legacy of Oleg Gordievsky as a double agent and his critical role in providing intelligence to the UK’s security services has left a lasting impact. His daring defection and the vital information he shared have been recognized and celebrated, marking him as a significant figure in the realm of international espionage
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