The Spy Who - The Spy Who Outran the KGB | War Games | 2

Episode Date: December 2, 2025

When a new job turns Oleg Gordievsky into MI6’s top spy in the KGB, the West is shocked to learn that Soviet nuclear paranoia isn’t just for show.Have you got a spy story you would like us to tell? Email your ideas to [e-mail] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wondery Plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy Who early and add free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app. 1979, KGB headquarters, Moscow. KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky yorns 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. A task that leaves him in the dark about active operations. Not that it matters. He's now cut off from his British spy masters. 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. Grushko wants us in the meeting room now. Why? His colleague shrugs and walks on. Gordievsky, 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 Victor Grushko, the silver. the haired head of the KGB's British and Scandinavian department. He'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.

Grushko continues. Her arrest was puzzling. We gave the case to one of our greatest agents, Comrade Kim Filby, who served us so well while working for MI6. Gordievsky knows of Philby. Every 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 Filby 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. And he's trapped in Moscow with only the slimmest of plans for escape. Hey, pod listeners, have we got a fun new game for you? It's called Quick, Quick, Quick, Quick, a game that has outrageous questions that will keep you playing and laughing for hours. Like this. Quick, quick, quick. List three gifts you'd never give a cowboy.

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There's a little bit of something for everyone. Listen to Tis the Grinch holiday podcast wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Indravama 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 two, war games. February 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. He 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. So 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 swore. 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.

He 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 Boots' real name is Michael Foote, and he's come far. These days, he leads the Labour Party and looks set to become Britain's next Prime Minister. Five 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 bordered up. Waiting for him in a smoke,

A smoke-filled office is the head of the KGB in London, General Arcadi Gouk. 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, Cordievsky hears a strange burbling noise. Gouk 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 even. drop. They 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. Gouk makes the introduction. This is Comrade Leonie. We need Nikitenko, head of counterintelligence here. Nikitenko is tall and handsome, but with amber watchful eyes. He leans against the wall smoking. Welcome to London, Comrade Gordievsky.

You'll find work here is very different to sleepy Copenhagen. Gouk 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. Gouk 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 Gouk and Nikitenko are why he decided to work for MI6 in the first place. They're typical KGB, paramed. paranoid Philistines who flatter superiors to get promoted. He feels the comforting bit of paper hidden in his coat. It has the phone number M.I.6 told him to call if he ever managed to leave Russia. A few weeks later, Gordievsky is ushered into a tastefully furnished apartment in West London by his MI6 handler, Jeffrey Guscott.

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. Through 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. Lemon 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. Petit 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 Guskut on everything he is memorized from the files in Moscow. When Gordievsky mentions the KGB's past links with Labour Party leader Michael Foote, Guskett's eyes widen. Bloody hell! But Gordievsky has one more item he needs to mention in his limit. time with them.

I must also tell you about Operation Ryan. Operation 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 Guscott. When all 20 of those signs have been identified, the Soviets will strike first. Andropov believes attack is our only chance of defence. Guscott gives a disbelieving smile

as he reads through the list. But 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 Guk, who are ignorant and ambitious, will go out of their way to find these signs just to curry favour with the centre. Guscett makes notes, but Gordievsky feels frustrated that he doesn't appear to be taking the threat as seriously as he should.

West 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. troops and weapons are amassing across Western Europe, making preparations for nuclear war. NATO says it's a training exercise called Abel 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.

Later 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. We 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 defense 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. The 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. Andropov's message to move to high alert is sent to Soviet and eastern block forces. In 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. November 5, 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 Scarlet 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. We need to get this to the Americans. But instead of moving to leave, Scarlett 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. The 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've seen this message from the Brits? The one about the Soviet response to the able-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. I 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 Ruskis 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. In West Germany, Lieutenant General Leonard Perutz stares at the intercepted Soviet communication he's just been handed. Perutz is an intelligence officer in the U.S. 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 U.S. 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. Perutes fidgets with his pen as he thinks. He's already requested more intelligence on how the Soviets are reacting to the Able Archer war games,

but so far he's had nothing useful back. He 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. Okay, Carrie, you ready?

Quick, quick, quick. three gifts you'd never give a cowboy. Lacey Bobby Sox. A diamond bracelet. A gift certificate to Sephora. Oh my God, that's outrageous, Carrie. Oh, wait. We're recording a commercial right now. We've got to tell them why we're doing this.

Oh, yeah. Sorry, pod listeners. Okay, so we're five besties who've been friends for five million years and we love games, so of course we made our own. It's called Quick, Quick, Quick. You just pick a card and have your partner give three answers to an outrageous question. It's fast, fun, fantastic, and

bunch of other funny adjectives. Anyone can play. Your mom, your dad, your kitten, your kids, your auntie edna, and even your butcher. And you know it's incredible, there are no wrong answers. Just open your brain and say what's in it, just quickly. And you're not going to believe this. Well, you might once you start playing, it's as much fun to watch as it is to play, seriously. So get up and go grab your copy now at Target and Amazon. Quick, quick, quick. It's the fastest way to have fun. Early 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. But after pressure from the British and Lieutenant General Leonard Perutz of the US Air Force, Casey agreed to review all of the intelligence data.

What he found chastened him. He had to admit to the president that it was possible the world had been on the brink of nuclear war during the games, but America had been completely unaware of it. Reagan is visibly shocked. His face is pale. But how could the Soviets possibly think we would make the first strike? Casey purses his fleshy lips. He and Reagan have together orchestrated the tough line the US has been taking against the USSR,

which Reagan has called an evil empire that needs to be dismantled. It appears the aggressive line we have taken against the USSR has stoked widespread paranoia. and fear in Moscow. This has led them to misinterpret many minor actions as indicators of aggression and preparation for war. Reagan looks at the speech on his desk in front of him about defence. He hurriedly crosses out a line in it. Bill, this is terrible.

Why didn't we know this? Casey clears his throat. The only intelligence that indicated our assumptions were wrong came from the British. We now believe they have a source who is a senior KGB officer. They've been telling us the information came from a variety of less well-placed sources. I guess we underestimated its credibility as a result. It was only when we put it all together that we realised.

This is the kind of intelligence we need, Bill. If one thing had tipped those war games the wrong way, it doesn't bear thinking about. Casey nods. He spent years making the CIA a more fearsome proposition in the Cold War, but he had never considered that Soviet fear might be just as dangerous as Soviet aggression. February 1984, number 10, Downing Street, London. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher listens intently to the head of MI6,

traditionally known as C. The Soviet leader, Yuri Andropov, has just died and she's keen to understand who is next in line. Constantine Chonienka will replace Andropov as General Secretary, but he is old and not a well man. He is likely to be a caretaker while the different factions battle it out. Did Mr Collins provide this information? C is surprised at the name she has given the unknown agent

who warned MI6 about the. the nuclear near miss of Abel Archer. But she's decided his official code names, Sunbeam, Nocton and Tickle, are too ridiculous to use. Uh, yes, this comes from Nocton. Thatcher ponders the mysterious Mr Collins. She has taken a keen interest in him since Abel Archer. Like President Reagan, she was also horrified at how close they came to nuclear war.

She's realised she needs to try and understand. understand the Russian regime better. But she also hates anything that smacks of treachery. And Mr Collins is a traitor to his own country. Mr Collins must be taking grave risks to bring us this information. Yes, he faces execution if he is discovered. So why does he do it? Money? Power?

We believe he is prompted by ideology, Prime Minister. He wants to undermine his country's corrupt communist regime from within. In doing so, he believes he is not betraying Russia, but serving her. Thatcher considers this and imagines herself in the same situation. She nods briskly. And he's quite right, of course. She takes up a pen to make notes on the briefing document. Do give him my sincerest thanks and please ensure we treat him well.

Of course, Prime Minister. A few days later, February 14, 1984, Red Square, Moscow. Margaret Thatcher bows her head respectfully as a coffin draped in red and black is carried past her towards Lenin's tomb. She's wearing an elegant black coat and fur scarf. She is here to pay respects

to the recently deceased leader of the Soviet Union, Yuri Andropov. And unlike some of the other dignitaries attending the funeral, she's resisting the urge to chat during the long-drawn-out ceremony. When she raises her head, she notices nods of approval from some of the mourners. After the coffin passes, she heads to the funeral reception at the Kremlin.

On arrival, her minder ushers her into a side room. Just through here, Prime Minister. From his coat's deep pocket, Thatcher's minder removes a pair of high-heel shoes. She hands over her fur-lined boots and the hot water bottle concealed under her coat. She checks her reflection, pats a stray hair, back into its rigid hairstyle, and then reminds herself of Mr. Collins' briefing. What to say and do to build rapport with Chenenko, the new Soviet leader, the importance of meeting foreign minister, Andrei Grameke.

Thatcher walks confidently through the crowd of male leaders in the white and gold hall and holds out a hand to the elderly leader of the USSR. Mr. General Secretary, please accept the condolence. of the people of Great Britain for your country's loss. Up close, she can hear Chenyenko's constant wheezing, but his eyes remain sharp and suspicious. We are honoured you came in person. Improving relations between East and West has become a passion of mine.

I am confident we can reach an understanding to de-escalate the tensions we have seen lately. Chenyenko squints at her. That usually means we need to surrender our nuclear weapons while you give up nothing at all. On the contrary, I am of the opinion this constant build-up of weapons does nothing but make us all afraid. The Soviet Foreign Secretary, Andrei Gromika,

who is standing next to Chenenko, leans forward with a sly smile. It is hard to imagine the Iron Lady afraid. It was your own. journalists who dubbed me that, but I promise I am a dove of peace. As the Soviets break into genuine smiles, Fatscher can now see the possibility of a thaw in Cold War relations. Once again, the mysterious Mr. Collins has guided her correctly. Now she just needs to meet the younger man he predicts will become the next leader of the USSR.

Mikhail Gorbachev. Ten months later, December 1984, the Soviet embassy, London. There's a buzz of activity consuming the embassy. Mikhail Gorbachev, the youngest member of the Politburo, is visiting London after a personal invitation from Prime Minister Thatcher. The invitation came after Gordievsky told MI6 that the KGB is backing Gorbachev as a few. future Soviet leader.

The acting head of the KGB in London, Leonid Nikitenko, reads a cable and swears. Damn! He shouts across the room. Oleg, Gorbachev wants a detailed briefing ahead of his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary tomorrow. What insights can you get? Kordievsky stands and grabs his coat. I'll try and arrange some meetings now.

An hour later, Gordievsky is in MI6's West London safehouse with his new handler Simon Brown. Brown hands him over a briefing document that has the foreign office crest on it. This is the briefing they just gave the Foreign Secretary. At least they'll be singing from the same hymn sheet. Gordievsky reads through the document and commits it to memory. Then he rushes back to the Soviet embassy. Back in the KGB's office, Gordievsky translates the memorized foreign office briefing into Russian. He has only just finished when Nikitenko rushes in.

Comrade Gorbachev wants the briefing now. Is this it? He snaps up Gordievsky's typed notes and quickly reads. He breaks into a smile. Yes, this is exactly what we need. Gordievsky smiles at the thought of how Gorbachev and Britain's Foreign Secretary, Jeffrey Howe, will now be working off the exact same briefing. A week later, the Soviet Embassy, London.

Nikitenko summons Gordievsky into his office and closes the door behind him. The centre is pleased with how Comrade Gorbachev's visit went. They have given us both special commendations. Gordievsky smiles. That's wonderful news. His smile fades as he sees the briefing notes he wrote for Gorbachev's meeting laid out on Nikitenko's desk. In the margins, Nikitenko has written numerous notes. Gordievsky and Nikitenko are now rivals.

They both hope to become the new boss of the KGB in London. MI6 recently used information from Gordievsky to get the old boss expelled from the UK for spying. Now, the British intelligence service hopes its agent will fill the vacancy it created. Nikitenko eyes Gordievsky with naked dislike. It was a very good report you did on Geoffrey Howe. It sounded just like a British foreign office document. Gordievsky feels adrenaline ripple down his spine. It takes all his self-control to laugh as if Nikitenko has just made a joke.

Why, thank you. But Nikki Tenka doesn't smile. Gordievsky leaves the office lightheaded with fear. A few days later, December 1984, MI6 headquarters London. The CIA's station chief in London, Bill Graver, sips a beer and lets his eyes wander the MI6 Christmas party he's attending. Soon he spots his target, the man in charge of the Soviet desk for MI6.

He pushes his way through the crowd. The MI6 man spots Graver's approach too late and ends up with his back against the wall as the American deliberately invades his personal space. You need to tell me about this. source of yours. This information is going all the way to the president. We need some guarantees. The MI6 man shakes his head with a deprecating smile. As I've said before, I can't. Graver gets even closer so that they are almost nose to nose. Come on. We're not

just anybody, are we? What about all those high-tech gadgets we give you that you can't afford? The MI6 man deftly steps to the side and takes a breath. And we're very grateful, but I still can't tell you. Do excuse me. As the MI6 man makes a swift getaway, Graver swigs from his beer bottle. He's going to have to tell his CIA bosses that he's failed to find out who the British source is. And that's not going to go down well. CIA headquarters Langley, Virginia. Head of the CIA's Soviet division, Burton Gerber, raises an eyebrow at the two men opposite him.

Now this is a strictly hush-hush mission, you understand? Gerber is a legend in the CIA. He successfully recruited and run agents in some of the toughest places in the world for espionage, including Moscow. And like most of the CIA's senior leaders, he's irked that he doesn't know the identity of Britain's Soviet mole. That mole is regularly providing information that goes to the president, but it's embarrassing not knowing where the intel's from.

So Gerber's now out to uncover who Britain's agent is. His bosses know what he's doing, but are looking the other way. This delicate mission could seriously harm relations with MI6. Gerber briefs the two officers he's entrusting not to screw it up. I want you two to go through all the intelligence the British have given us over the past 10 years. Look for patterns and similarities. Try and match it to the KGB officers we know of in Europe. Will you do it?

The CIA agent, tasked with the job, looks hesitantly at his boss who sits next to him. His boss is a man with a short moustache and thick brushed-back hair. His name is Aldrich Ames. He nods. Yes, it's not a problem. We're happy to help. January 1985, a few months later, the MI6 safe house in West London. Gordievsky clinks his champagne glass against those of his MI6 team,

Simon Brown and Valerie Petit. Cheers! On a recent trip to Moscow, Gordievsky was told he would be promoted to London Station resident. MI6's long game has paid off. The spy they recruited in Copenhagen all those years ago will soon be in charge of all KGB operations in Britain. Petit sips her champagne. This is wonderful news to come back with. I do worry about you whenever you return to Moscow.

I know. You make me go over the escape plan every single time. Better safe than sorry. Gordievsky's handler, Brown, rubs his hands together in glee. I can't believe it. As resident, you'll have access to all the cipher codes. I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if they make you a general before the year is out. Gordievsky goes pink with pride, but then his face clouds over.

Actually, as resident designate, I should have access to the cipher codes already, but Nikitenko is refusing to hand them over. Is that a problem? You were worried he was getting suspicious. No, no, he just hates the fact that I've been promoted over him. Four months later, the Soviet embassy, Washington, D.C. In a secure windowless basement room, A KGB officer sits opposite an American with a short moustache.

The American's name is Aldrich Ames and he works for the CIA. Ames walked into the Soviet embassy last week, offering to sell high-level secrets for $50,000. Now he's back for his answer. Convinced the CIA have planted listening devices throughout the embassy, the KGB officer doesn't speak. Instead, he writes a note and slides it across the table to Ames. It reads,

We are pleased to accept your offer. You will go to lunch with another officer who will give you the money. Ames reads the notes and then scribbles his reply underneath. Okay, thanks. The KGB officer writes a second longer note. Ames already knows what the KGB man will ask. It is the first question, Any defector or double agent is ever asked.

Do you know of any penetrations of our service by the CIA or other agencies? The KGB man slides the question across the table. Ames hesitates for a moment, then writes, Yes, high-level, working with MI6, likely based in London. Two days later, the MI6 Safehouse, West London. MI6 officer Valerie Petit sits in a lounge chair absent-mindedly pulling at a stray thread in her woolen skirt. She and fellow MI6 officer Simon Brown are waiting for Gordievsky. He contacted them earlier today, asking for an urgent meeting.

They both stand when they hear Gordievsky's key in the lock. He is pale and is sweating despite the cool day. My friends, thank you for meeting me at such short notice. I have been recalled to Moscow. Petit feels her stomach drop. Why? I don't know. The instruction is from the head of the KGB. I've been told to be thoroughly prepared on British policy.

Brown's worried face turns more hopeful. Well, that might not be bad. In fact, it could be great. We know they rate your knowledge highly. Gordievsky paces the room distractedly. Yes, that is true. It's unusual, but there could be any number of reasons for it. And we've had nothing through any other intelligence channel

that would indicate there was a problem. Petit gives a sideways glance at Brown. She knows what's going through his head. If they pull Gordievsky right out and there was nothing to worry about, then MI6 will lose the chance of untold intelligence riches. But if they are wrong, they are sending Gordievsky to his death. Brown studiously ignores Petit's glance. Look, Oleg, it's your call.

We'll support you with whatever you want to do. If you want to defect now, just say the word and we'll put it in motion. Your safety is paramount. Gordievsky turns to Brown almost pleadingly. Petit feels sure he wants them to make the decision for him, but neither Sheen or Brown says anything. Gordievsky goes back to pacing as the minutes tick by. Finally, he stops in front of a window.

Through the cover of some low-hanging trees, he can see Kensington Palace Gardens where children are playing and tourists are wandering. He straightens his back, then turns. I will go back. Petit feels tears rushed to her eyes at Gordievsky, She's raw bravery. She touches his arm gently.

I'll make us a cup of tea and then we'll go over the escape plan one more time, shall we? He gives her the ghost of a smile and nods. Two days later, Gordievsky's home in London. Gordievsky polishes his shoes as his wife Lela carefully folds his shirts for his trip to Moscow. She's excited about his forthcoming meeting with the head of the KGB. Still unaware of his spying for MI6, Leila sees the request as a sign of her husband's growing importance to the KGB. Perhaps he wants your advice.

This could be a chance to change the KGB for the better. Gordievsky knows he should say something, but a lump seems stuck in his throat. Their two young daughters race into the room, clamouring for food. Gordievsky puts his shoes down at the sight of them. Oh, my little princesses, come to Papa, huh? I'm going away, you know?

He scoops them up in his arms, but the girls wriggle out of them. No, Papa, we want chocolate. Girls, give your father a proper hug. No, leave them. Chocolate is more interesting than boring, Papa, huh? Yes, chocolate. The children race to the kitchen. Leila looks at Gordievsky with concern.

Is anything wrong? Of course not. Come here. He hugs her close and kisses her longingly. She smiles at the unexpected display of affection. The children call again. Mama! Go, go.

They won't be quiet until you feed them. But instead, Leila holds her husband's hands. Oleg? You have bitten your nails down to the quick. Gordievsky pulls his hands away. That's the taxi. I'll see you in a few days. He picks up his coat and suitcase and heads out the door for his flight to Moscow.

And to face whatever is waiting for him there. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to the spy who at Wondery.com. From Wondery, this is the second episode in our season, The Spy Who Outran the KGB. A quick note about our dialogue. We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history. But our scenes are written using the best available sources. So even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research.

The accuracy of Gordievsky's report that Labour leader Michael Foote was regarded by the KGB as an agent of influence remains contested. Foote always denied the claims and successfully sued the Sunday Times for libel in 1995 after it serialized Oleg Gordievsky's book, which first made the claims public. It now seems likely that KGB officers in London inflated the extent of their contact with Foote to impress superiors in Moscow and that Foote had no idea that the KGB regarded him as a potential asset. We used many sources in our research for this season, including The Spy and the Traitor by Ben McIntyre

and Next Stop Execution by Oleg Gordievsky. The Spy Who is hosted by me, Indra Vama. Our show is produced by Vespucci, with writing and story editing by Yellow Ant for Wondry. For Yellowant, this episode was written by Judy Cooper and researched by Louise Byrne and Marina Watson. Pronunciation guidance from Russ Avery, Our managing producer is Jay Priest.

For Vespucci, our senior producer is Ashley Clivery. Our sound designer is Alex Port Felix. Natalia Rodriguez is the supervising producer. Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Frisson Sink. Executive producers for Vespucci are Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turkin. Executive producer for Yellow Ant is Tristan Donovan. Executive producers for Wondery are Estelle Doyle, Theodore Eludis and Marshal Louis.