Oleg Gordijewski, a former KGB colonel, died in Great Britain, who went to the West in the 1980s – British media reported on Friday. In 2007 he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II. He was 86 years old.
Gordijewski was the highest -ranking officer of the Soviet intelligence who escaped west. He died in his home in Surrey, southwest of London.
At the beginning of the 1980s, Gordijewski was the deputy head of the Soviet KGB resident in London. For several years he was a double agent and provided important information to the British intelligence services Mi5 and MI6.
He deserted in 1985 when the authorities of the Soviet Union discovered that he was working for the West.
Oleg GordijewskiPhotoshot/PAP/EPA
Gordijewski was honored by Queen Elizabeth II
After his desertion, the British government issued 25 members of the Soviet embassy from the country, accused of espionage. In response, Moscow issued 25 British.
In 2007, Gordijewski received from Queen Elizabeth II the title of Knight of the Order of Saint Michał and Saint Jerzy for “Merit for the security of the United Kingdom”.
Source of the main photo: Photoshot/PAP/EPA