The GRU colonel who fed the West over 5,000 classified documents on Soviet missile weakness, exposing Khrushchev's strategic bluff
At a London safe house, Penkovsky tried on American and British army colonel's uniforms, photographed himself, and spoke of 'the day I'll wear one of these for real.'
A GRU colonel who, disillusioned with Khrushchev's leadership, approached MI6 and the CIA in 1961 and over 18 months fed the West more than 5,000 classified documents: Soviet ICBM capabilities, Cuban missile site layouts, and military doctrine. His intelligence confirmed to Kennedy that the Soviet missile arsenal was far weaker than Khrushchev claimed, providing the factual basis for the U.S. to stand firm during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Arrested by the KGB in October 1962, he was convicted in a televised show trial and executed by firing squad in May 1963.
Career Timeline
- 1937–1939Graduated from 2nd Kiev Artillery School, commissioned as lieutenant
- 1939–1945Fought in Poland, Winter War, and the Eastern Front; twice wounded; adjutant to artillery commander, 1st Ukrainian Front
- 1945–1948Graduated Frunze Military Academy, promoted to colonel at age 30
- 1949–1953Graduated Military-Diplomatic Academy, assigned to GRU 4th (Middle East) Directorate
- 1955–1956Assistant military attaché in Turkey and GRU resident, recalled after misconduct
- 1960–1962Deputy chief of foreign relations at State Committee for Science and Technology, GRU cover post
- 1961.4–1962.10Double agent for MI6 and CIA; passed 5,000+ classified items in London, Paris, and Moscow
- 1963.5.11–16Convicted of treason and sentenced to death, executed five days later