A FORMER KGB double agent, Oleg Gordievsky, who defected from Russia to Britain has died aged 86.
Gordievsky, who was believed to have been one of Britain’s most important spies, was found dead at his home in Surrey.
Former double-agent Oleg Gordievsky has died aged 86Avalon.red
GettyHe was considered one of Britain’s most important spies[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationHe received the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and Saint George from Queen Elizabeth in 2007[/caption]
The infamous spy was the highest ranking Russian official to defect to the UK and was even smuggled out of the Soviet Union in the boot of a car to safety.
Gordievsky later starred in the BBC series Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game, which delved into his incredible life.
His work saw him provide crucial information to the British Secret Intelligence Service from 1974 to 1985.
The double agents most important work as a spy was to warn Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan about the dangerous paranoia that ran through Soviet leaders.
His crucial information allowed NATO to curtail it’s infamous Able Archer exercise, which is thought to be the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war.
Counter-terrorism police are aiding the coroner but Gordievsky’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
The former KGB officer is believed to have died peacefully at his home, according to the BBC.
Gordievsky has lived under police protection, in Godalming, since he was bravely smuggled out of the Soviet Union and into Finland.
The double agent, who helped both MI5 and MI6, fled after Moscow started to become suspicious of him in 1985.
Before his brave escape, Gordievsky was taken to a KGB safe house where he was drugged and interrogated.
The spy was released and fled through a MI6 devised escape plane, before he could be re-arrested and potentially face prison and a firing squad.
Gordievsky was rewarded for his brave work as the Queen decorated him with the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George in 2007.
He was appointed CMG for “services to the security of the UK”.
Later in 2007, Gordievsky was rushed to hospital and claimed he was poisoned with thallium by Moscow.
The ex-KGB officer was unconscious for 34 hours and blasted MI6 for allegedly not protecting him.
PA:Press AssociationHe was appointed CMG for ‘services to the security of the UK’[/caption]
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
