Famous Russian Spies

Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky was a former KGB colonel who served as the KGB resident-designate and bureau chief in London. He operated as a double agent, providing valuable intelligence to the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 1974 to 1985. Following his recall to Moscow and subsequent suspicion, Gordievsky was exfiltrated from the Soviet Union in 1985 through Operation Pimlico. In response to his actions, the Soviet Union sentenced him to death in absentia.

Kim Philby was a British intelligence officer who worked as a spy for the Soviet Union. He was part of the Cambridge Five spy ring, passing British secrets to the Soviets during World War II and the early Cold War. Philby was recruited by Soviet intelligence in 1934 and later worked for the UK's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). He served as a high-ranking member, first secretary in the British Embassy in Washington, and passed significant intelligence to the Soviets, including involvement in the Albanian Subversion. Philby's career was marred by suspicions of aiding other spies and he ultimately defected to Moscow in 1963 after being exposed as a Soviet agent.

Richard Sorge was a German journalist and Soviet military intelligence officer who operated undercover in Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan during World War II. Codenamed "Ramsay," he provided crucial intelligence to the Soviets, including information about Hitler's plan to attack the Soviet Union and Japan's intentions towards the USSR. Despite being arrested, tortured, and hanged for espionage in Japan, Sorge's actions were instrumental in aiding the Soviet war effort. He was posthumously honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1964.

George Abramovich Koval was an American engineer who acted as a Soviet intelligence officer for the Soviet atomic bomb project. Infiltrating the Manhattan Project as a GRU agent, he significantly accelerated the Soviet Union's development of nuclear weapons. Recruited and trained by the GRU, he was assigned the code name DELMAR. Koval worked at atomic research laboratories in the U.S., providing the Soviet Union with crucial information on production processes, volumes of materials, and weapon production sites. He was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation decoration for his service.

Sasha Filippov was a dedicated spy for the Red Army during the Battle of Stalingrad. His professional life was characterized by bravery, intelligence, and a deep commitment to serving his country. Filippov operated undercover with precision, gathering crucial information on enemy movements and strategies. His espionage work played a vital role in the Soviet Union's efforts to defend Stalingrad and ultimately secure victory in the battle. Known for his resourcefulness and quick thinking, Filippov was a valuable asset in the fight against the invading forces.

Manfred Ramminger was a German architect known for his dual role as a KGB agent. His professional life took a dramatic turn when he successfully stole an American AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, which he smuggled into the Soviet Union. This daring act solidified his reputation within espionage circles. However, in 1968, his espionage activities were uncovered, leading to his arrest by West German authorities. Ramminger's career was characterized by a combination of architectural work and covert intelligence operations, making him a figure of intrigue and controversy.

Yuri Borysovych Shvets is a former Soviet intelligence officer of Ukrainian origin who served as a Major in the KGB from 1980 to 1990. He was a resident spy in Washington, D.C. from April 1985 to 1987, operating under the cover of a correspondent for TASS, a Soviet state-owned news agency. During this time, Shvets gathered intelligence and information pertinent to his role as a KGB officer, contributing to the activities of Soviet intelligence operations in the United States.