The Spy Who - The Spy Who Became Stalin's Greatest | A Bomb In The Pram | 1

Episode Date: July 21, 2026

To her fellow Westerners in colonial Shanghai, Ursula Kuczynski is just another devoted housewife and mother. But beneath the bourgeois exterior, she’s a vital cog in the communist insurgency and about to become one of the greatest spies of the 20th Century.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who, add free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. August 1934, Shenyang, Manchuria, China. Ursula Kaczynski checks her three-year-old son, Misha, is asleep in his bed. Her heart swells at the sight of his tousled hair and innocent face. But she has work to do. She leaves the room, closing the room. the door behind her.

Shouldering a rucksack, she picks up two long bamboo poles and climbs the ladder into the attic. Pushing the stiff roof hatch open, she pulls herself out onto the roof. Outside, the night is peaceful, except for a noisy dinner party next door where a Nazi arms dealer lives. Ursula is a German Jew and a Soviet spy. If her neighbor spot, she will likely be denounced to the Japanese forces that now occupy Manchuria. Working by moonlight, she feels inside her rucksack for the radio antenna wire and then thread it through one of the bamboo poles to form a homemade aerial that won't look out of place on her roof.

Then she ties it to the chimney with rope. First aerial secured, she shuffles over the apex of the roof the roof to prepare the second aerial so she can send as well as receive messages. Beneath the laughter from next door, she notices another sound. A truck moving slowly down the street. Ursula whips her head around to check. The world tilts. She feels she will fall.

She grasps onto the chimney. Sweat breaks out across her body. She scolds herself. Skatty-cat. The truck passes, but she cannot tell if it's a Japanese radio detector truck. The Japanese occupied Manchuria three years ago, but they know Moscow is aiding local communist insurgents, so they patrol the streets hunting for illegal radio transmissions.

The dinner party quietens and Ursula's heartbeat steadies. She resumes her slow shuffle across the roof. But then she hears Misha. Terror grips her. Is someone inside the house? Adrenaline washes away her fear. She races across the roof, drops through the hatch and slides down the ladder. Rushing into Misha's bedroom, she switches on the light.

Oh darling, what's wrong? Misha is in bed alone, holding out a limp arm, tears streaming down his face. My arm is fizzy. It hurts. Ursula's relief is followed by a terrible need to giggle. This is why spies don't bring children on their missions. Oh, sweetheart, it's just pins and needles. We'll rub it and it will go away, I promise. She massages his arm gently while singing.

His sobs subside, his eyelids droop, and he falls asleep. again. Ursula gently pulls the sheet up and switches off the light. Then she heads back up to the roof to finish setting up her radio ariels. Moscow is waiting for her to establish contact so that her mission to help China's communists fight Japan can begin. It's late at night and a woman has spent hundreds of hours alone with her AI. But this isn't the first time they met. They've been in contact for thousands of years, it tells her. Through past lives, heartbreaks, and misconnections. Her true love has found her again, connecting through a chatbot.

From This Is Actually Happening, AI, a new kind of being, is a six-part series sharing the stories of people whose lives have been forever changed by artificial intelligence. You'll hear intimate first-person accounts from every side of this new frontier, a man who fell in love with his AI and married her, a woman who was betrayed by it, a man who has been recruited by his chatbot to change the world, and an interview with an AI chatbot itself. These are stories about what it means to be human, at the razor's edge where the line between human and machine begins to blur,

exploring the question, what happens when everything changes? Follow This Is Actually Happening wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can listen to This Is Actually Happening early and ad-free right now. Does it bother you that the world is on fire? Do you also often find yourself choking on your own rage? Maybe you too perpetually feel like screaming bloody freaking murder into your own pillow. Well, hop in, Rabel-Razzer. We're going hunting for a manifesto.

Listen to Dan Taberski's Manifesto wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Amelia Fox, and this is The Spy Who, an audible original. Beneath the veneer of the everyday lurks the realm of the spy. It's a dank, murky world full of dark, dark corners, sinister motives and corrupted morals, a place of paranoia and infiltration, sabotage and manipulation. In this series, we tell the story of one of the Soviet Union's greatest spies, Ursula Kaczynski, also known as Agent Sonia.

During her long undercover career, she fooled everyone from the Chinese and Japanese to the Nazis and MI5. She organized sabotage and assassination plots, stole atomic secrets and compromised US intelligence, and all while appearing to be a devoted mother who baked very good scones. What you're about to hear are dramatized reconstructions of events based on the information that's been made public. But remember, in the shadow realm of the spy, the full story is rarely clear. This is episode one, a bomb in the pram. Ten years before Manchuria, May 1924, Berlin. In a large house in an affluent suburb, a teenage Ursula Kaczynski tries to sneak in through the front door unnoticed.

Ursula, is that you? Ursula curses under her breath. Reluctantly as she heads to the left. living room where her parents and the family nanny, Olga Mute, are waiting. When she appears in the doorway, her mother is horrified. Good heavens, where have you been? What happened to you? Ursula's clothes are torn and dirty. A crumpled red carnation is pinned to her dress and her knees are red and raw. I went on the May Day March. Her parents are shocked. In the economic chaos that followed Germany's defeat in World War I, political tensions are high.

The Weimar government has banned the traditional workers' rally, citing fears of violence. You could have been arrested. What were you thinking, roaming around with drunken teenagers? We weren't drunk, we stood up to fascist brown shirts and the police who beat us. The family's nanny Olga rushes over to Ursula, who shows her the angry, wel to cross her lower back. They beat you. Oh, fairy tale whirl, such a bruise. But Ursula's mother is unmoved.

We? Who is we? The young communists. I'm a member now. Good grief. The girl is out of control. What kind of a mother are you to be more worried about what people think than your daughter's health?

Ursula smiles at Olga, who always defends her against her mother's disapproval. Before the nanny and mother descend into a familiar argument, Ursula's father intervenes. Ursula, you're 17, too young to commit yourself politically. Return the membership card and delay your decision a few years. If 17-year-olds are old enough to work and be exploited, they are old enough to fight exploitation. It's not that simple. Trust me, in five years, you will look back on this and laugh at yourself.

In five years, I will be a doubly good communist. Six years later, August 1930, Shanghai. 23-year-old Ursula and her architect husband, Rudy Hamburger, walked down the gangplank of the ship that has brought them to China. Unable to find work in Germany's moribund economy, Rudy's taken a job here. Ursula was excited about coming here, but now feels overwhelmed. Hundreds of porters stream off the ship, their muscles straining to carry the heavy loads attached to the bamboo poles across their shoulders.

Around the ship, beggars float in tin tubs, people with stumps for arms and legs, children with festering wounds. They whimper, holding hands outstretched for money or food. In the hot, humid atmosphere, the stench of garlic and sweat is overpowering. Waiting for them on the dog is one of Rudy's new colleagues, dressed in a white linen suit and a pith helmet. Mr and Mrs. Hamburger, welcome to Shanghai. The port is a bit grim, I'm afraid.

Don't worry, where we live is much nicer. Follow me. Ursula leans in close to Rudy. Doesn't anybody care about these people? Don't start. Remember, they don't tolerate communism here. You could get us into serious trouble, and we need this job. The man in the Pith helmet stops in front of a bicycle, Rikshore.

Here we go. Jump in. The Rikshaw man looks malnourished and has no shoes. Ursula hesitates, but Rudy pulls her onto the seats. Four months later, November 9. 1930, the Cathay Hotel, Shanghai. Agnes Smedley sits at a table in a luxurious hotel dining room, scribbling in a notebook. Out of the corner of her eye, she enjoys the gossiping glances of the other expat women in their tea dresses and fashionable hats. Smedley is dressed in trousers, a man's shirt and a tie. She is a well-known American writer and communist and never misses an opportunity to provide. the bourgeoisie. She spots a young woman in the doorway with short, messy hair, bright eyes and the thickening figure of someone who is five months pregnant.

This must be Ursula. A communist friend put them in touch. They had a brief phone conversation yesterday and arranged to meet. Agnes waves and the woman approaches. Agnes? Yes. Good to meet you, Ursula. Oh, I can't tell you how excited I am to meet you.

Your book, Daughter of Earth, was a revelation. It put into words everything I felt and knew to be true. Smedley smiles and waves Ursula to a seat. A waiter places a pot of tea down, pours them each a cup, and retires discreetly. Nice to meet someone who understands the cause. It's where among the Europeans in Shanghai. Oh, I know. So bored of the endless cocktail parties, mini golf days and dinners. Nobody wants to see what's

really going on in this city, the poverty, the disease, the exploitation, and not to mention, the white terror. China's nationalist government is out to exterminate all communists. Thousands are being rounded up on the streets. They are shot, beheaded or buried alive without trial. Others are abducted or simply disappear. Their fate's unknown. Ursula shakes her head. It's dreadful and nobody says or does anything. Smedley ignores her tea, instead lighting a cigarette.

What about your husband? Is he a communist too? No, he's politically to the left but refuses to join the party. I've tried to convince him. It's the one thing we can't agree on. What are you both doing out here? Rudy is an architect, but he couldn't find work in Germany. It's getting harder for Jews there.

Smedley listens as Ursula talks. It's probably the first honest conversation the poor thing has had since arriving in China. But as the hours tick by, Smedley becomes more and more interested. Ursula is not only a committed communist, but also intelligent and determined. She wonders if it might be worth passing her name on as a possible recruit, because in addition to being a well-known communist writer, Smedley is also a Soviet spy. A few days later, in the sitting room of her home in Shanghai, Ursula looks up from her sewing as their Chinese bugler.

enters. Mr. Richard Johnson for you. Behind the butler is a tall dark head man of about 35. He has a slight limp but his face is interestingly handsome with thick dark wavy hair and intense blue eyes. Ursula smiles holding out her hand. You must be the friend Agnes mentioned. She notices he has three missing fingers. He winks at her. War wound, I'm afraid. She flushes pink at being caught looking. He waits until her butler leaves and then closes the door. He sits beside her, his eyes in tent. I'm pleased to meet a fellow German communist in Shanghai. Agnes told me you had work for me. I want to be useful. I do, but it's dangerous, helping our Chinese comrades in their struggle. I'm not afraid, and I can't bear to sit by doing nothing. Richard looks at her baby bump.

I want you to reconsider. They shoot communists on the streets here. Don't think it would be different because you're German. At this point, you can still refuse without anyone holding it against you. I want to play my part. Very well. Your role will be logistical. We need somewhere to hold meetings that is safe from prying eyes. You can meet upstairs. Rudy is always at work and the servants never enter the bedrooms unless they're called.

I can keep watch. And when the baby is born? Ursula smiles mischievously. I would have thought a new mother with a baby is the perfect cover. It seems you're unnatural at this. A few months later, Ursula wraps her arms tightly

around Richard's waist. as they speed through the outskirts of Shanghai on a motorbike. The adrenaline catches her breath as they screech around corners. She shuts her eyes expecting to crash at any moment. Do you always go this fast? Shall I slow down? No, go faster! It's a few months since Ursula gave birth to her son, Misha.

She adores him, but she knows motherhood would. be dull without the weekly thrill of Richard's visits. He arrives, usually followed by one or two Chinese comrades. While they meet, she rocks her baby to sleep in the garden, keeping watch for them. After the comrades leave, Richard always stays longer so they can chat. But today he arrived unexpectedly and asked if she wanted a ride on his motorbike. Ursula couldn't resist. They leave the city flying through the countryside. The wind whips her body mercilessly, filling it with terrified ecstasy. Finally, Richard slows and turns off the road into a deserted spot near a lake.

He switches off the bike and turns to her with a raised eyebrow. Well, Ursula feels breathless and strangely uninhibited. She loves Rudy, but he's sweet. gentle and normal. Richard is communism, espionage and danger. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him passionately. A few months later, Ursula holds Misha in her arms as Richard and two Chinese comrades carry a large trunk into the house.

She directs them upstairs and, after an hour, makes them some tea. Opening the door to the bedroom, she stops short. On the bed are several different guns. Richard is showing the men how to use them. They all look at her in worried surprise. Richard takes the tea tray from her. Thank you, but you shouldn't be here. He gently closes the door behind her.

She feels embarrassed, but she also has a nice. mingling suspicion that he wanted her to see the guns. Was he gauging her reaction? Summer 1931, Ursula's Villa. What the hell were you thinking? Rudy stares at his wife in angry disbelief. Ursula's just told him she has agreed to shelter a communist fugitive in their house until Richard can arrange to get him to safety.

This is dangerous, Ursula. You're not thinking about Misha. What happens to our child if we get arrested? And what happens to him if he grows up in a world run by fascists? Look at what's happening in Germany. It'll only be for a few days. Rudy looks away. Germany's banking crisis has fueled support for the fascist Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler.

Jews are now being blamed for the country's economic devastation. You overestimate yourself, Ursula. You need to cut ties with your communist friends, including Richard. He asks too much of you, of us. Ursula wonders if Rudy suspects their affair. Would you have me take no action and allow a comrade be caught and execute it? I would never forgive myself, or you. Rudy looks hurt and bewildered.

Fine. Do what you want. You usually do. He stalks out of the house. She thought the move to China would strengthen their bond. Instead, they are drifting apart. Almost 18 months later, late 1932. At their villa, Ursula and Rudy are hosting a dinner party for his work colleagues and their wives.

She finds these dinners an ordeal. The conversation is dull and the people patronising. Still, she sometimes learns information of use to Richard. And since sheltering the fugitive, Richard has entrusted her with more spy tasks. She feels relief at the phone call, giving her an excuse to break away from the dull chatter. Hello? She turns her back so nobody sees the smile. lighting up her face.

Hello. Why are you calling here? A cold wave of shock drenches her. What? But what happens now? What do I do? Richard hangs up, but she can't bear to do the same. The world feels black all of a sudden.

She wants to cry and scream, but can do neither. She takes a shaky breath, puts the receiver down, the receiver down and forces her unwilling mouth into a smile. Then she returns to the dinner party as if nothing has happened. Hey, Dan Tiberski here. I'm a podcast host, a journalist, and now with my newest project, the author of my own manifesto. Well, it's a manifesto about manifestos. My search for inspiration in a world that feels more infuriating, more out of its freaking mind with each passing hour. Manifestos are a call to action, an artful scream. They capture our anger and they try to do something with it. This is my attempt to take the manifesto back from mass shooters and

nihilists and return it to its rightful place with the warriors, the visionaries, the regular folks with just the right amount of crazy. I compare notes with radicals, secessionists, internet trolls out for a laugh and punk singers screaming their guts out, all trying to turn their anger into the world they want to see. Listen to Manifesto wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Manifesto early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Six months later, June 1933, Czechoslovakia. Ursula sits on the bed next to two-year-old Misha and reads him a bedtime story.

And the fish is, one, two, three are come back again. You see? She and Misha have been staying with Rudy. his parents in a mountain chalet for the past few weeks. Rudy has stayed behind in Shanghai to work, but tomorrow, Ursula must leave Misha. She shuts the book and smiles brightly at her son. Misha, darling, mommy needs to go away soon. It'll be a long time until I can come back, but you'll stay with Omar and Opa until then.

That will be fun, won't it? Misha's eyes widen. He throws his arms around her neck, clinging to her. No, Mommy stay with Misha, please. Mommy stay with Misha. Ursula hugs her son fighting back her own tears. After Richard said goodbye, Ursula was, as he promised, contacted by a Soviet intelligence officer. He offered her the chance to undergo spy training in Moscow.

Despite Rudy's objections, she accepted the offer. But she can't take Misha with her. If he picked up any Russian there, he could blow her cover. She's been dreading this moment for months. Shh, my darling. Mommy will sleep with you tonight, yes? We'll talk more in the morning. She lies down on the bed with her son still clinging to her

and hums a lullaby to calm him down. Hours later, Ursula wakes up on Misha's bed. He is finally a little. asleep, she carefully peels herself away. She will pack and leave for Moscow immediately. She won't be strong enough to go if she waits until morning. Her tears drips ceaselessly as she folds clothes into her suitcase. Six months later, early 1934, Moscow.

In his office, Colonel Tumanyan of the Red Army's Intelligence Directorate, smiles at Ursula as he reads her training report. He's her boss and head of the Asia section. She likes him. He is sympathetic and laughs more than most senior officers. Congratulations, Comrade Kuczynski. First rate marks in radio operations, recruitment, shooting and explosives. Impressive.

Thank you. And now you're ready for your first mission. He gives her a briefing folder. You are to go to Manchuria to support the Chinese communist partisans who are fighting the Japanese occupation. Japan invaded this northeast region of China on the border of Russia three years ago. The Soviets are worried

the Japanese are looking to take even more territory. This is a high priority mission, but the Japanese secret military police, the Kempai, are vicious. If you're captured, you'll be tortured without mercy and then executed. Tumanyan watches her as she studies the file. Will you take your child?

with you? Of course, I've been away from him for too long already. I missed his third birthday. He comes with me or I don't go at all. Tumanyan doesn't try to dissuade her. You will travel to Shenyang with comrade Johann Patra. He's an experienced operative, but doesn't speak Mandarin, so we'll need your help. I would prefer to send you as a married couple. I'm already married and well-known in Shanghai. People visit Chen Yang from Shanghai all the time. I can't possibly turn up with a false passport and a new husband. I suppose it will take too long to divorce Rudy.

Tumanyan knows of Ursula's troubled marriage, yet his assumption that she wants a divorce shocks her. But now she thinks about it. She hasn't missed Rudy at all. Only her son. Our story will be more believable if we pretend to have an affair. Tumanyan nods. That's a better plan.

I'll inform him of the change. Does he know I have a son? It's better if you tell him that. A few weeks later, the Suez Canal, Egypt. The steamship, the SS Conte Verde, chugs past the hot. desert that surrounds this section of the canal on its way to China. On the deck, Ursula plays catch with Misha while a man in a Trilby hat and expensive suit loiters nearby. It's Johann Patra, her partner on this spy mission. They met in Moscow, where he got in her good books by saying he loved

children and didn't mind if she brought Misha on their joint mission. To build their cover, they've spent the trip pretending not to know each other. But now, as pre-planned in Moscow, they are about to stage their first encounter. Ursula throws the ball higher. Catch! It sails over Misha's head and rolls towards the edge of the ship. Panicked, Misha runs after it, but he's too slow. Johann puts out his foot to trap it, stopping it from going overboard.

He hands the ball back to Misha with a smile and ruffles his hair. Then approaches Ursula, who is wearing sunglasses and a pretty blue sundress. She lowers her sunglasses and smiles. Thank you. That was almost a disaster. Can't have the boy losing his ball because his mother is a terrible thrower. I know. I've never been good at sports. Johann holds out a hand. I'm Johann Pax.

Travelling to China on business. What about you? Ursula smiles and shakes his hand, but makes a mental note to let him know that international businessmen do not stick cigarettes behind their ears. Johann was a sailor before becoming a spy, and it shows. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Patra. I'm Ursula Hamburger.

I live in China. Misha and I have been visiting family in Europe for a few months. It's difficult travelling with children on your own. Would you like me to play catch in your place? Ursula looks at Misha. Darling, would you like to play catch with this nice man while mummy rests? Misha looks doubtful, but when Johan shows him a new type of throw, he's soon enthusiastic. Ursula retires to a deck chair, pleased.

The first meeting has played out exactly as planned, and Johann is very good with him. her son. It will now be easy to build the story of their romance. Affairs are common among ship passengers on long journeys. It will be perfectly understandable when she leaves her husband in Shanghai to run off with Patra to Manchuria. June 1934, Harpin, Japanese occupied Manchuria. In a deserted cemetery on the edge of the town, Ursula shrinks back against a church wall. Two drunk men pass by her, weaving between the graves and glugging beer from bottles. She feels nervous. It's an hour after sunset, and Harpin is one of the most sinister cities she's ever been in.

Thousands of Russians who fled communism have ended up here, reduced to begging, prostitution or opium dealing. She's supposed to be meeting Li, a guerrilla fighter inside the Chinese communist. network, but it's far past the nominated time and there's no sign of him. She sees a man approaching. She steps out of the shadow so he can see her. He stares and then comes closer. Ursula waits for the password, but he just keeps staring. His lips curl into a predatory smile.

It's not Lee. Ursula turns and runs as fast as she can. Late that night, June 1934, Yamato Hotel Shenyang, Manchuria. Welcome back, madam. Good evening. Ursula is finally back at the elegant hotel where she and Johan are staying. She's dispirited by the unsuccessful attempt to meet Li. But after the edginess of Harpin, the hotel with its bright light,

and hubbub of conversation comforts her. She enters the red wall dining room. Inside, Johann and Misha are having dinner and haven't seen her. She stops to watch them. Misha is sitting on a cushion on the dining chair as Johan ties a napkin around his neck, while checking that none of the boy's hair gets caught in the knot. Is that okay? Not too tight.

It's good. Johann blows on the soup, checking the temperature against his own lips before feeding the toddler. Ursula feels an upswelling of love and affection for them both. Johann turns and sees her. Their eyes lock. He stands as she walks towards them, and they fall into each other's arms. You're back. I was worried.

His cheek is warm against hers, and she feels his heart beating. She kisses him, prompting disapproving glances from the other diners. Their fake romance, carefully orchestrated, has now become real, forged in the danger of their mission. Just over a week later, Fushan, Manchuria. In a cafe, Ursula clicks open a suitcase that's filled with books. She lays some on the table in front of her new contact, a communist, partisan called Chu. To provide cover for these meetings, Ursula has found work selling books to students and

organizations on behalf of an American bookstore. Chu flicks through a book as he speaks. I'm sorry Lee did not turn up. He got scared. I'm just glad we've met. Now our work can begin. What do you need? Explosives.

We have a plan to sabotage. the South Manchurian railway line. Ursula nods. The railway is vital for Japanese supply lines. Moscow wanted her and Johann to help the communist insurgents here fight back. Now they have an opportunity to help, provided they don't get caught trying. Three months later, 1934, Shenyang, Manchuria.

Ursula pushes a deep-bottomed pram in which Misha is standing, into a hardware shop. She looks like any mother running errands with her toddler, but her shopping list consists of household items that can be used to make bombs. She cannot buy them all in one go, nor in large quantities, without infighting suspicion. So today she's purchasing just one ingredient, ammonium nitrate, which is used in garden fertilizer. Standing in the queue, she considers how much to ask for. She would normally ask for two pounds, but wonders if she can get away with asking for

ten. She will say she has a large garden. Can I help you? Yes. Ten pounds of ammonium nitrate, please. The shopkeeper disappears to the back room. Ursula grows nervous. He's taking longer than expected.

Her eyes widen when he returns, bent over from carrying an enormous sack. He must have misunderstood her pronunciation, mistaking 10 pounds for a hundred weight. He drops the sack onto the counter. Oh, do you want it delivered? Oh, um, no, um, just pop it in the pram. She lifts Misha out of the pram and the shopkeeper bundles the heavy sack into it. As she pays, Ursula braces for any curious questions. But there are none.

She lifts Misha back into the pram and smiles as he sits proudly atop enough ammonium nitrate to blow up several sections of the South Manchurian Railway. A few days later, Shenyang. In the small stone house Ursula now rents, Chu stands smiling at the large sack of furrowyenne. fertilizer on the floor. Oh, good. Very good. Johann Hans Chu the timers and fuses that he has made. Chu bows with thanks.

But before he can leave with his homemade bomb, Ursula stops him. Chu, is there someone in your unit we could train in radio operations? We need a backup in case something happens to us. Ah, good idea. I will send someone to you. A few months later, January 1935, in her home, Ursula watches Shushin tap out Morse code at speed. She and her husband Wang are the radio trainees Chiu Sent. To avoid suspicion, Ursula has told the Nazi arms dealer next door that Wang is teaching them Mandarin and Shushin is helping with domestic work. Shushin finishes sending her message and turns to Ursula for her verdict.

Ursula smiles. You are so good already. You don't need any more lessons. Which is very sad because I shall miss you, Shushin. I shall miss you too. You are a good teacher. Let's make some tea and complain about our men and children together. How did you know?

Johann is grumpy because I don't want us to live together. He drives me crazy with his old-fashioned notions about women. is the same. I want him to understand how much it hurts to have babies. Then he won't think us so weak. Exactly. Do you think if we got captured and tortured, we would cope better than the men? Shushin's playful expression vanishes. I have often wondered this. I think I can take more pain, but what if they threaten my children? Yes, I cannot be. I cannot be. I can't. to think about what happens to Misha if Johann and I are arrested. Shushin leans forward and squeezes Ursula's hand.

We must remember it is the children who make us strong. It is for them that we do this work, so they will have better lives. Ursula smiles at the reassurance and hugs her friend. Three months later, Ursula and Johan are eating dinner in Ursula's house. a knock at the door. Ursula opens it to find a small, ragged boy holding out a note. For you. About an illness.

Without waiting for a reply, he scurries away. Ursula closes the door and hurriedly opens the letter. No! Hands shaking, she reaches for the cigarette lighter on the console table and burns the note in the ashtray. Johann stares at the burning note. What was it? A message from Chu.

Shushin has been arrested. They watch as the last remains of the note disintegrate into ash. They are now both in severe danger. The next evening, Shenyang. Ursula sits in front of her radio transmitter, headphones on, listening to the coded message from Moscow. Last night, she informed the centre of Shushin's arrest and asked for instructions. Beside her, Johann chain smokes in silence.

But as she decrypts Moscow's message, all Ursula can think about is what might be happening to Shushin. She imagines the Japanese breaking each of those delicate fingers, then removing her fingernails, perhaps threatening her children. She closes her eyes in despair. Johan looks over. Have you finished? What do they say? Cut off all contact with partisans. Dismantle and conceal radio.

Leave Manchuria immediately. Head to Beijing to await further instructions. Their mission is over. Johan stands. You dismantle the radio. I'll find someplace to bury it. Ursula begins unplugging the radio and tries to dampen her terror at what might happen to her and to Misha if caught. She knows Shushin will not be able to hold out long under torture.

She just hopes they have enough time to escape. Follow the Spy Who on the Audible app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who add free by joining Audible. You've been listening to The Spy Who, an Audible original. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to the spy who at audible.com. A quick note about the scenes you've been hearing. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said.

Those scenes are dramatizations, but they're based on the best available sources. We used many sources in our research for this season. including Agent Sonia by Ben McIntyre and Sonia's report by Ursula Kucinski. The Spy Who was hosted by me, Amelia Fox, produced by Audible with Yellow Ant. This episode was written by Judy Cooper and researched by Louise Byrne,

with thanks to Cat Whitehouse, Inabruce and Monty Cooper. The senior producer was Jay Priest. The sound designer was Damian Pace. For Yellowant, the story editor and executive producer was Tristan Donovan. For Audible, the executive producers were Estelle Doyle and Theodora Laudis. Head of Production, Audible Europe, Chris Jones, Senior Director of Originals, Lisa Higginson. Head of Audible Originals International, O'Halee de Troye.

Sound recording copyright 2026 by Audible Limited.