The Spy Who Outran the KGB | War Games | 2

0:00Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

0:161979, KGB headquarters, Moscow

0:23KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky yawns and gloomily regards the thick books and musty files that cover his desk Boredom weighs down his every limb His head droops to the desk He returned to Moscow a year ago from an overseas posting in Copenhagen But his decision to divorce his wife and marry his mistress Has not gone down well with his superiors While his home life is much happier His career is in freefall He used to be a high flyer Earmarked as a future department deputy Now he's been tasked with writing a history of the KGB Although he remains a senior officer, it's a non-job for a man going nowhere fast.

1:12A task that leaves him in the dark about active operations. Not that it matters. He's now cut off from his British spymasters. Before returning to Moscow, he agreed with MI6 that they would not attempt to contact him. But this isolation only deepens his sense of loneliness and alienation. He snaps his head up as a colleague knocks on his door. Gruszko wants us in the meeting room now. Why? His colleague shrugs and walks on. Gordievski, now alert, follows his fellow KGB officers into a large room. They settle into the rows of chairs that have been set up. Standing facing them all is Viktor Gruszko, the silver-haired head of the KGB's British and Scandinavian department.

2:01He's usually cheerful, but today he wears a grave expression. Comrades, I'm disappointed to say that one of our long-standing and valuable agents in the heart of the Norwegian government was arrested a few weeks ago. Gordievsky feels his hair prickle. He's sure this spy was arrested because of information he passed to the British while in Copenhagen. Now he's no longer in active contact. MI6 must be acting on his tip-offs. Gruszko continues. Her arrest was puzzling. We gave the case to one of our greatest agents, comrade Kim Philby, who served us so well while working for MI6. Gordievsky knows of Philby.

2:47Every KGB agent does. He is the legendary Englishman who became a secret communist in the 1930s and worked his way up the ranks in MI6, spying for the Soviets. After being discovered in 1963, he fled to Russia. He now lives in Moscow, giving advice to the KGB whenever asked. Comrade Philby is of the opinion this agent's arrest could only have come from inside information. He believes the pattern of events suggests the traitor may be in this room, sitting here amongst us. As the KGB officers look at each other warily, Gordievsky pinches his thigh hard through his trouser pocket The pain clears the sudden constriction in his throat and stops the telltale blood rushing to his face He concentrates on keeping his breathing light The hunt for the traitor is now on Every time MI6 acts on information he provided, it will get easier for the KGB mole hunters to zero in on him.

3:53And he's trapped in Moscow with only the slimmest of plans for escape.

4:14Get reliable fiber-powered gig Wi-Fi with Peacock included to stream the beautiful game this summer. Xfinity, imagine that. Restrictions apply. New gig internet members only. Speeds vary. Use of fiber coaxial cable. Peacock offer for Peacock Premium with ads currently$10.99 a month value. Activation required to access content. Terms apply. Peacock must be activated within first 90 days. Manage existing subscriptions to avoid multiple charges. Third-party subscriptions continue until canceled. Here it is. This corner kit could be a big one. There's the cross. It rises to meet it. and it's a car!

4:46Soccer's biggest tournament is here, and Enterprise is turning every corner kick goal into your chance to win a car. The moment a corner kick is called, post on X with hashtag on every corner, hashtag sweepstakes, and tag Enterprise. If it's a corner kick goal, you could win. Winners may pick up their cars at an Enterprise or an Enterprise car sales location on a corner near them. With over a thousand corner kicks expected, That's a lot of chances to win. For more details and an additional chance to win, visit oneverycorner.com. No purchase necessary for legal residents of the 50 U.S. states in D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain who are 21 and older.

5:25Sweepstakes end July 19, 2026. Void where prohibited. Prize awarded if a corner kick goal is scored. For entry details and official rules, visit oneverycorner.com.

5:39From Wondery, I'm Indra Varma and this is The Spy Who. In the last episode, disillusioned KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky agreed to spy for MI6. But after an affair convinced him to end his loveless marriage, the KGB put his career in the deep freeze and recalled him to Moscow, isolating him from his British spymasters. But then MI6 began using his information to expose KGB agents in Scandinavia. Now the KGB are hunting for the betrayer in their ranks. You're listening to The Spy Who Outran the KGB. This is Episode 2. War Games.

6:32February 1982, Moscow. More than two years after the KGB spy hunt began. It's late and Oleg Gordievsky is alone inside room 635 of KGB headquarters. He opens one of the metal cupboards. Inside are shelves full of cardboard boxes. Inside those boxes are case files on every agent, asset and recruitment target being used or nurtured by the KGB in Britain. Gordievsky carries one of the boxes to his desk.

7:14He removes a file from the box, clicks on a desk lamp and starts reading. Oleg? What are you doing? the deputy head of the British section stands in the doorway staring at Gordievsky. In the two years since the KGB started hunting its mole, Gordievsky has managed to evade suspicion. He's even felt safe enough to sign up for English language training, plotting his slow journey back to MI6. And fate has worked in his favour. Ten years ago, a KGB defector called Oleg Lialin triggered a mass expulsion of Soviet spies from Britain. This created an ongoing shortage of experienced English-speaking KGB officers that could be posted to the UK.

8:03So last month, Gordievsky's bosses reluctantly agreed to send him to London. But he still needs to tread carefully. The British approved his diplomatic visa in record time, which raised eyebrows inside the KGB. Now his methodical reviewing of these files has been questioned by a superior officer. He sits up and stretches nonchalantly. I'm just reading the British files ahead of my posting. His boss frowns. I told you to stop swatting and do something useful, like write a report. I am, but I also want to be prepared. His boss walks off without a word. Gordievsky watches his departure with worry.

8:52He cannot risk any more untoward attention. But he is determined to be useful to his MI6 handlers when he arrives in Britain. He returns to the file he pulled from the shelf. It concerns a British journalist and politician codenamed Boot. The file lists Boot as a former agent of influence, someone who could be used to shape British public opinion for Moscow's benefit. Boot cut contact with the KGB in 1968 after the crushing of the Prague Spring. But the Soviet spy agency wants to restore contact. And that's because Boot's real name is Michael Foot, and he's come far. These days he leads the Labour Party and looks set to become Britain's next prime minister.

9:47Five months later, the Soviet Embassy, London. Gordievsky shows his new path to an unimpressed security guard and is escorted to the cramped KGB section at the top of the building. It is suffocatingly hot and all the windows have been boarded up. Waiting for him in a smoke-filled office is the head of the KGB in London, General Arkady Guk. He is a large man with small eyes, an overflowing ashtray and a bottle of expensive vodka on his desk. Ah, comrade Gordievsky, come in. As he sits, Gordievsky hears a strange burbling noise. Gook nods at the walls. Don't mind the noise. I have cassette players hidden in the walls that play Russian music, so the British can't eavesdrop.

10:38They put listening devices in our embassy? You have to always be careful here. That's why I've boarded up all the windows to stop them using long-range cameras. Oh, and be careful of the advertisements on the London Underground. MI5 uses some of them as two-way mirrors. Gordievsky looks at the other man in the room for confirmation of what seems an outlandish claim. Gook makes the introduction. This is comrade Leonid Nikitenka, head of counterintelligence here. Niki Tenka is tall and handsome, but with amber watchful eyes. He leans against the wall, smoking. Welcome to London, Comrade Gordievsky.

11:21You'll find work here is very different to sleepy Copenhagen. Gook leans back on his chair, causing his double chins to bulge. On the upside, the clubs and pornographic magazines here are very good. Gordievsky gives a slight smile. Unless it's for work, I don't tend to go to clubs. The wine is always terrible. Gook looks at him as if he just spat on the table. Well, the secretaries will show you to your desk. Gordievsky leaves the room depressed. Men like Gook and Nikitenka are why he decided to work for MI6 in the first place. They're typical KGB. Paranoid Philistines who flatter superiors to get promoted.

12:09He feels the comforting bit of paper hidden in his coat. It has the phone number MI6 told him to call if he ever managed to leave Russia.

12:26A few weeks later, Gordievsky is ushered into a tastefully furnished apartment in West London by his MI6 handler, Jeffrey Guskett. They've come to this safe house for Gordievsky's first debrief since he was recalled from Copenhagen three and a half years ago. Another member of the MI6 team, Valerie Petit, makes tea in the kitchen.

12:51Through the large, airy windows, Gordievsky can see the green of Kensington Palace gardens. The contrast with the KGB's gloomy London office couldn't be greater. He feels at home.

13:09Lemon and no milk, just the way you like it. Gordievsky smiles his thanks at Petit and reaches into his breast pocket to show her a photo of his daughters. Petit smiles maternally. Oh, they're beautiful. How old? Anna is two and Maria is nine months. Leila is a wonderful mother and a tired one, I imagine. They are energetic at those ages. As Gordievsky tucks the photos away again, Petit sips her tea thoughtfully. She's the MI6 officer who devised the emergency plan to extract Gordievsky out of Moscow. The odds of the plan succeeding were always slim. Adding his wife and two small children to the escape party will make those odds even slimmer.

13:58Petit looks up from her teacup. I'll need to update the escape plan to include them. You'll have to practice administering a sleeping drug so it's not so traumatic for the girls. Oleg admires Petit's thoroughness and quick mind, but he has never taken her escape plan very seriously. He turns to brief Gusskett on everything he has memorised from the files in Moscow. When Gordievsky mentions the KGB's past links with Labour Party leader Michael Foote, Gusskett's eyes widen. Bloody hell. But Gordievsky has one more item he needs to mention in his limited time with them. I must also tell you about Operation Ryan.

14:41Operation Ryan? We've heard snippets about this. It's a directive from Andropov, right? Something about looking for signs that the US is going to launch a nuclear attack. Yuri Andropov is the former head of the KGB, who is now the leader of the USSR. Gordievsky leans forward. The urgency has increased. There are 20 signs Andropov wants us to look for. What are these signs? Gordievsky pulls a list of the signs from his pocket and hands it to Guskett. When all 20 of those signs have been identified, the Soviets will strike first. Andropov believes attack is our only chance of defence. Guskett gives a disbelieving smile as he reads through the list.

15:29But these signs, some of them are ridiculous Stockpiling blood, government office lights on late at night I mean, one is increased demand for car parking at the Ministry of Defence There is no logic in the KGB anymore Just paranoia and blind obedience Men like Gook, who are ignorant and ambitious Will go out of their way to find these signs just to curry favour with the centre Guskett makes notes, but Gordievsky feels frustrated that he doesn't appear to be taking the threat as seriously as he should.

16:10West Germany, November 2nd, 1983 On the border with communist East Germany, a Soviet military reconnaissance plane swoops as low as the pilot dares. Next to him, a military intelligence operative takes photos of the enemy army that stretches for miles beneath them. More than 40 ,000 NATO troops and weapons are amassing across Western Europe, making preparations for nuclear war. NATO says it's a training exercise called Able Archer, but it looks indistinguishable from a real military build-up. Finally, the Soviet operative nods at the pilot, who turns quickly and takes them back into their own airspace.

17:04Later that day, the Kremlin, Moscow. In a huge, ornate room, generals and senior Politburo members are grouped around a long table. Their expressions are grave. Yuri Andropov, the leader of the Soviet Union, sits at one end. Those in the room don't know it, but he's ill and battling cancer. His hard face is grey and drawn. In summary, the intelligence gathered indicates that the West is preparing for a first strike upon the Soviet Union. One of his generals looks dubious. These seem like the usual NATO war games. And if you wanted to launch an attack without us suspecting, then annual war games would be the perfect cover.

17:51We have credible intelligence of US forces being mobilised beyond those used in the war games. Their troops are also using new encryption codes for their communications. All the signs of an imminent attack have been recorded. A member of the Politburo speaks up. And if their so-called Star Wars defence systems are already operational, then they could stop our nuclear weapons and strike us with impunity. The General looks impatient. It's not operational. It will take years to develop that technology. But they are working on it, which means now might be our only chance to win a war. I will not sit by and wait to be invaded again as we were with Hitler.

18:33The General looks shocked. You want us to deliver a nuclear strike now? Every head turns towards Andropov, who drums his fingers on the table in indecision. Move to high alert mode and wait for my orders. I will seek further confirmation of NATO's war preparations.

19:05Andropov's message to move to high alert is sent to Soviet and Eastern Bloc forces.

19:14In the North Sea, Russian nuclear submarines dive under the Arctic ice to evade detection. In East Germany and Czechoslovakia, Soviet fighter bombers are placed on 30-minute readiness. Soviet mid-range nuclear missiles move into firing positions across Eastern Europe. The head of the Soviet general staff transfers his command center to an underground bunker.

19:49November 5th, 1984 Day 3 of NATO's Able Archer War Games In West London, Gordievsky rushes into the MI6 safehouse He sent an urgent request for a meeting with his new handler, John Scarlett Without even sitting, Gordievsky reaches into his pocket and hands Scarlett a telegram from Moscow As he reads it, Scarlett's confusion shifts into dawning horror. The telegram makes clear that the USSR believes it is about to be attacked. Is this serious? None of you understand just how paranoid and afraid the Soviet leadership is. They are convincing themselves these military exercises are a cover for a real attack.

20:37We need to get this to the Americans. But instead of moving to leave, Scarlet stands chewing his lip. Well, what are you waiting for? We can't let the Americans know you exist. We'll have to pretend it came from elsewhere. But even then we won't have time to drip-feed the information and fully cover the tracks. It will increase the risk to you. Just do it. We don't have time to waste. If those madmen in Moscow pull the trigger, we are all dead. Everyone.

21:11The next day, CIA headquarters, Langley, Virginia. On the Soviet desk, a CIA analyst reads a message marked urgent that has come in from MI6. He reads through it with a puzzled frown. Then he takes it to an older colleague. Hey, you seen this message from the Brits? The one about the Soviet response to the Abel Archer war games? Not yet. What's the skinny? I can't make it out. They seem to be saying the Soviets are getting ready for war. But it's a bit vague. What, because of annual war games? It's just Moscow's usual huffing and puffing. Where's the information from? The Brits say it's from a Czech intelligence officer tasked with monitoring major NATO exercises.

21:59I think we'd know if the Soviets were getting ready for World War III. It's just the Brits getting their panties in a bunch. The Soviets have been reacting a bit strangely, though. Some reports say they've put fighters on high alert. When you've worked on the Soviet desk as long as I have, you'll learn the Ruskies go to great lengths to claim we're pushing them to the edge of war. It's just propaganda. The CIA analyst nods in agreement and sits down to file his report.

22:32In West Germany, Lieutenant General Leonard Perutz stares at the intercepted Soviet communication he's just been handed. Perutz is an intelligence officer in the US Air Force in Europe, and the message in his hand says the Soviet air forces in East Germany have moved to high alert. What the hell are they playing at? He notifies the head of the US Air Force in Europe. Minutes later, a reply comes back asking him if US Air Forces should be put on a similar war footing in response. Perutz fidgets with his pen as he thinks. He's already requested more intelligence on how the Soviets are reacting to the Abel Archer war games, but so far he's had nothing useful back.

23:19He cannot believe the Soviets would really attack. But if they are going to attack, this would be the only opportunity for NATO forces to prepare. He takes a deep breath and sends his response. A response on which the fate of the world could turn. Suggest carefully watching the situation, but do not increase alert readiness. He presses send and prays he's not just made the wrong call.

23:55With the VentureX Business Card from Capital One, you earn unlimited double miles on every purchase. Plus, big purchasing power means you can spend more and earn more. The Capital One VentureX Business Card. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See CapitalOne.com for details. Confidence. It's listening to your gut. It's moving forward, even when the path ahead is unclear. For nearly 160 years, Pacific Life has helped people keep their promises, building confidence for generations. Whether you're confident in your financial future or just beginning to envision it, we're here to help. Ask a financial professional how.

24:34Pacific Life, the power of a promise. Pacific Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska. And in New York, Pacific Life and Annuity, Phoenix, Arizona.

24:53Early 1984, the White House, Washington, D.C. CIA Director Bill Casey adjusts his large round glasses as he faces U.S. President Ronald Reagan. As you can see, Mr. President, some of the actions the Russians took in going on high alert were very costly. It would suggest a genuine reaction rather than just tokenistic posturing. Then there are the cables that were sent to the KGB resident tourists across Europe. A few months ago, the Able Archer NATO war games ended without incident. At the time, the CIA concluded the Soviets' odd actions throughout the exercises were just posturing, a complex propaganda game designed to paint the US as the aggressor.