Biological Espionage: Special Operations Of Soviet and Russian Foreign Intelligence Services In The West

by Alexander Kouzminov

In the wake of 9/11 the threat of biological terrorism and sabotage has been thrust to the forefront of public consciousness. However, this is far from being a new phenomenon. From World War II onwards, the Cold War powers devoted considerable resources to developing what became known in the military as µbugs and gas'. This groundbreaking study lifts the lid on the top-secret Department 12 of Directorate S (Special Operations) v the elite inner core of the KGB First Chief Directorate and its successor, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. During the 1980s and early 1990s the department encouraged biological espionage, the planning and preparation of biological terrorism and acts of sabotage. Their work was carried out primarily through µIllegals' v intelligence operatives who were secretly deployed to the West and covertly operated there, masquerading as citizens of Western countries under assumed names and cover stories. One of its top operatives, Alexander Kouzminov, has decided to break his silence and reveal in depth for the first time the department's tasks, plans and tactics. More disturbingly, he explores what others in the West and the developing world are and could be capable of. In this remarkable book we learn the secrets of the USSR's elite intelligence operatives v secrets which could prove vital in maintaining international security in today's uncertain political climate.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2006

Reviews

[Kevin Riehle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less about biological espionage, as the title implies, and more about the Soviet intelligence illegals program. It gives a good picture of how that program operates from the perspective of an officer who worked in KGB headquarters. Recommended alongside books like Gordon Corera's Spies Among Us, Trevor Barnes' Dead Doubles, Donald Mahar's Shattered Illusions,a nd Jack Barsky;s Deep Undercover to illustrate the illegals program.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good book with a very misleading title. I almost didn't read it, and if I hadn't heard/seen it recommended as one of the best things to read if you're interested in Directorate S and the illegals programme, I wouldn't have. I have no particular interest in biological espionage, after all. But while the author is certainly writing from the perspective of someone who was himself involved in biological espionage during the waning days of the Soviet Union, this book is of so much broader interest. For one thing, it seems to be the only book out there that goes into any depth on how the Soviet Union's Directorate S operatives (of all sorts, not just the ones working in the author's biologically specific section) and illegals were trained, and that alone makes it worth reading if you're interested in such things. So don't be deceived by the title!