In 2020, the official periodical of the Russian FSB [Federal Security Service] carried a lengthy but interesting breakdown of the history and successes enjoyed by the Finnish Radio Intelligence Service (Radiotiedustelukeskus, or RTK) during the Winter War between Finland and the USSR (1939-1940), as Germany’s ally during World War II (1941-1944), and during the LaplandContinueContinue reading “FSB Publication Details Finland’s Communications Intelligence Successes Against Soviet Union Before and During WW2”
Category Archives: World War Two
Countdown to Pearl Harbor: November 1941 Encrypted Telegram Explains Japan’s Next Actions if US Negotiations Break Down
The following is a translation of a Top Secret encrypted telegram dated 25 November 1941 from unidentified Soviet agents in Tokyo regarding the potential for Japan being “forced to” seize the Dutch East Indies in the event of failure of Japanese-American negotiations. Note that, while the telegram was transmitted on 25 November, it wasn’t received untilContinueContinue reading “Countdown to Pearl Harbor: November 1941 Encrypted Telegram Explains Japan’s Next Actions if US Negotiations Break Down”
1943: Molotov Informs Gromyko, Sobolev of Acceptance of Terms of Italy’s Surrender to the Allies
The following is a translation of a 2 September 1943 Top Secret message from the People’s Commissar Of Foreign Affairs Of The USSR Vyacheslav Molotov To Soviet Ambassador To The US Andrey Gromyko and Soviet Charge D’Affairs Of The USSR In Great Britain Arkady Sobolev. 2 September 1943 Top Secret Priority On 26 AugustContinueContinue reading “1943: Molotov Informs Gromyko, Sobolev of Acceptance of Terms of Italy’s Surrender to the Allies”
Three Top Secret Reports Highlight Japan’s More Militaristic Posture in Late November 1941
The following are translations of three separate Top Secret intelligence reports dispatched on 25 November 1941, based on covertly-acquired information from unidentified Soviet agents in Tokyo. The first spells out how events are expected to unfold in the event of a break in Japanese-American negotiations. The second lists the ultimatums that Japan intends to presentContinueContinue reading “Three Top Secret Reports Highlight Japan’s More Militaristic Posture in Late November 1941”
Soviet Spy in Tokyo Warns Japan Will Invade Thailand if US-Japanese Talks Do Not Bear Fruit
The following is a translation of a Top Secret cipher telegram dated 19 November 1941 from Tokyo about the Japanese intention to occupy Thailand if negotiations with the United States do not lead to the results desired by Japan. Many redactions were made during the declassification process, most notably approximately the first two thirds ofContinueContinue reading “Soviet Spy in Tokyo Warns Japan Will Invade Thailand if US-Japanese Talks Do Not Bear Fruit”
Russian Historical Society Provides Access to 800+ Newly Declassified WW2 Documents
On 17 September 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Historical Society has published a six-volume collection of over 800 archival documents, declassified by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), covering the entire period of World War II — from Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland to the defeat ofContinueContinue reading “Russian Historical Society Provides Access to 800+ Newly Declassified WW2 Documents”
November 1941: Top Secret Telegram Reveals Anthony Eden-Lord Halifax Discussion of UK/US Actions if Japan Attacks the Soviets
The following is a translation of an enciphered telegram from Anthony Eden to the British Embassy in Moscow on possible actions of the USA and England in the event of a Japanese attack on the USSR. Information originating from Soviet agent “List” (British civil servant John Cairncross) via VADIM (Soviet London resident Anatoly Gorsky). TOPContinueContinue reading “November 1941: Top Secret Telegram Reveals Anthony Eden-Lord Halifax Discussion of UK/US Actions if Japan Attacks the Soviets”
November 1941: Intercepted Communique from British Ambassador in Tokyo Refutes British Foreign Office Claims of Increased Chance of Japanese Attack on USSR
The following is a translation of an enciphered telegram from the British ambassador in Tokyo to the British Foreign Office, intercepted by British spy John Cairncross (known here as Soviet agent “List”), that a recent telegram from London inexplicably indicated that the possibility of a Japanese attack on the Soviet Union was on the rise.ContinueContinue reading “November 1941: Intercepted Communique from British Ambassador in Tokyo Refutes British Foreign Office Claims of Increased Chance of Japanese Attack on USSR”
Classified British Foreign Office Telegram Winds Up in Moscow – UK and US Examine Options if Japan Attacks the USSR
The following is a translation of an encrypted telegram from London on the need to keep Japan out of the world conflict and “tear her away from the Axis powers by all means.” The information was sent to Moscow by an unknown Soviet agent, which cites, verbatim, information provided from Soviet agent “List” (British civilContinueContinue reading “Classified British Foreign Office Telegram Winds Up in Moscow – UK and US Examine Options if Japan Attacks the USSR”
October 1941: Leaked British Top Secret Telegram Reveals Germany’s Discontent with Japan
The following is a translation of an encrypted telegram from London regarding Germany’s dissatisfaction with Japan’s position towards the US and apparent disinterest in joining Axis powers. The information was sent to Moscow by an unknown Soviet agent, which cites, verbatim, information provided from Soviet agent “List” (British civil servant John Cairncross). TOP SECRET CIPHERContinueContinue reading “October 1941: Leaked British Top Secret Telegram Reveals Germany’s Discontent with Japan”
Translating History 