Walter Krivitsky

Walter Krivitsky (born Samuel Ginsberg; June 28, 1899 – February 10, 1941) was a Soviet intelligence officer who defected to the West in 1937, after becoming disillusioned with Joseph Stalin's Great Purge. His defection and subsequent testimonies provided valuable insights into the inner workings of the Soviet intelligence services, including the NKVD, and the international operations conducted by the Soviet Union during the 1930s.

Early Life

Born in Podolia Governorate, then part of the Russian Empire, Krivitsky grew up in a Jewish family. He joined the Russian Revolution in 1917, aligning himself with the Bolshevik faction. His early involvement in revolutionary activities led him to the attention of the Soviet intelligence apparatus, where he began his career.

Career in Soviet Intelligence

Krivitsky rose through the ranks of the Soviet intelligence service, eventually becoming a high-ranking officer of the GRU, the military intelligence agency of the Soviet Union. He was stationed in various European countries, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, operating under various aliases. His work involved espionage, directing Soviet spy networks in Europe, and conducting operations against the Soviet Union's perceived enemies.

Defection

Disillusioned by the brutal tactics of Stalin's purges, which targeted not only perceived enemies but also loyal members of the Communist Party and military, Krivitsky defected to the West in 1937. He sought asylum in France before moving to the United States, where he wrote articles and a book, "I Was Stalin's Agent", detailing his experiences and the operations of the Soviet intelligence services.

Death

Krivitsky's life in exile was fraught with difficulties, including financial instability and fear of assassination by Soviet agents. His fears were not unfounded; several of Stalin's opponents who had fled to the West were killed by NKVD operatives. On February 10, 1941, Krivitsky was found dead in a hotel room in Washington, D.C. The circumstances of his death were suspicious, and while officially ruled a suicide, many believe he was assassinated by the NKVD.

Legacy

Walter Krivitsky's defection and the information he provided shed light on the secretive world of Soviet espionage and the extent of Stalin's purges. His testimonies were among the first to reveal the global reach of Soviet intelligence operations and contributed to the understanding of Soviet foreign policy during the interwar period.

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