This continues our short series of translations relating to the Intrepid Four and their handling for propaganda purposes by the Soviet Union. For further information, please refer to our first report in the series here. Additional information on the Intrepid sailors is easily found throughout the Internet. One declassified report that offers a bit of theContinueContinue reading “The Intrepid Four: More US Servicemen Fall into the Soviet Propaganda Machine”
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The Intrepid Four: US Navy Deserters Begin to Feel Moscow’s Pressure
This continues our short series of translations relating to the Intrepid Four and their handling for propaganda purposes by the Soviet Union. For further information, please refer to our first report in the series here. Document 4: A paper (from G.V. Shumeyko, head of the International Department of the CPSU Central Committee, November 22, 1967):ContinueContinue reading “The Intrepid Four: US Navy Deserters Begin to Feel Moscow’s Pressure”
The Intrepid Four: The Soviet Propaganda Campaign Exploiting US Navy Deserters During Vietnam
Desertion from war is as old as war itself. The US involvement in Vietnam saw desertion reach its newest heights, with more than half a million US service members fleeing its ranks, but it can be argued that none were so public or pronounced as that of the so-called “Intrepid Four.” On 23 October 1967,ContinueContinue reading “The Intrepid Four: The Soviet Propaganda Campaign Exploiting US Navy Deserters During Vietnam”
1940: Kickoff of Soviet Country-Wide Repressions Against Lithuanian Opposition Leaders
The following is a translation of the four-page Top Secret covert activity plan of the Lithuanian Department of State Security, dated 7 July 1940, calling for the arrest and elimination of the leadership of “anti-state” parties. This would be the first of a series of repressive activities by Soviet internal affairs and state security agenciesContinueContinue reading “1940: Kickoff of Soviet Country-Wide Repressions Against Lithuanian Opposition Leaders”
Soviet Scientists Develop Experiment to Conduct Air Sampling near US ‘Operation Crossroads’ Nuclear Test Sites
In 1946, the head of the KGB First Directorate, Boris Vannikov, sent Lavrentiy Beria an appeal from Soviet Academy of Science physicists to help them conduct airborne experiments that would allow them to collect radioactive particles near nuclear testing sites associated with the US ‘Operation Crossroads’. The concept would have Beria instruct Commander in ChiefContinueContinue reading “Soviet Scientists Develop Experiment to Conduct Air Sampling near US ‘Operation Crossroads’ Nuclear Test Sites”
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”
1960: Soviet Intelligence Creates Pre-Election Political Profile of John F. Kennedy
The following translation is that of a 1960 profile of then-candidate John F. Kennedy, drafted by the Soviet intelligence organs to ensure the political leadership of the USSR was kept abreast of the man who would soon become President of the United States. While it’s no secret that intelligence agencies across the world compile psychologicalContinueContinue reading “1960: Soviet Intelligence Creates Pre-Election Political Profile of John F. Kennedy”
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”
Translating History 