The KGB defector who saved MI5 and changed the Cold War

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​Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War.

I speak with Richard Kerbaj,  the author of a new book, ‘The Defector. The untold story of the KGB agent who saved MI5 and changed the Cold War” which chronicles Lyalin’s story.

Lyalin ​was trained ​with ​The KGB’s Department ​V, which ​was their sabotage ​and ​​assassinations ​department.  He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official, where he was tasked with gathering intelligence and plotting assassinations of  ​British politicians, ​paralysing the ​British ​economy and ways ​to ​starve ​the ​population ​by ​attacking ​emergency food ​supplies. ​

In early 1971, overwhelmed by personal and professional turmoil, Lyalin approached MI5, revealing his true identity and the KGB’s sinister plans against the UK.

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