The KGB defector who saved MI5 and changed the Cold War (425)

2025-10-10

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Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War. I speak with Richard Kerbaj, the author of a new book, 'The Defector,' which chronicles Lyalin's story. Lyalin was trained with The KGB’s Department V, which was their sabotage and assassinations department. He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official, where he was tasked with gathering intelligence and plotting assassinations of British politicians, paralysing the British economy and ways to starve the populati...

Lyalin was trained with The KGB’s Department V, which was their sabotage and assassinations department. He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official, where he was tasked with gathering intelligence and plotting assassinations of British politicians, paralysing the British economy and ways to starve the population by attacking emergency food supplies.

In early 1971, overwhelmed by personal and professional turmoil, Lyalin approached MI5, revealing his true identity and the KGB's sinister plans against the UK.

Episode extras including videos here ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode425/⁠

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