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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jordan Reynolds

KGB defector and Cold War spy Oleg Gordievsky dies age 86

Oleg Gordievsky KGB Cold War
  • Former KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky has died at age 86.
  • Gordievsky, codenamed Hetman, was a key Cold War spy, providing Britain with crucial intelligence on Soviet leadership and KGB operations.
  • His warnings about Soviet fears of a NATO nuclear attack helped de-escalate tensions between the superpowers.
  • In 1985, he was suspected of being a British spy and recalled to Moscow, but escaped to Finland with the help of MI6.
  • He was sentenced to death in absentia for treason by Russia, but honored by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

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