The KGB defector who saved MI5 and changed the Cold War (425)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War. I speak with Richard Kerbaj, the author of a new book, 'The Defector,' which chronicles Lyalin's story. Lyalin was trained with The KGB’s Department V, which was their sabotage and assassinations department. He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official, where he was tasked with gathering intelligence and plotting assassinations of British politicians, paralysing the British economy and ways to starve the population by attacking emergency food supplies. In early 1971, overwhelmed by personal and professional turmoil, Lyalin approached MI5, revealing his true identity and the KGB's sinister plans against the UK. Episode extras including videos here ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode425/⁠ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠ Continue the Cold War Conversation via social! F acebook ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠ BlueSky ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠ Threads ⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠ Twitter/X ⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠ Youtube ⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.8	Ever wondered what power is. Power is transforming the sun into your own energy source.
0:12.6	Power is getting energy companies to pay you. Power is enjoying your morning coffee,
0:18.2	knowing you created the energy to make it.
0:21.9	Well, you and the colossal ball of fire in the sky.
0:25.0	Because with solar panels from Hive, the sun works for you.
0:28.8	Hive, know your power.
0:30.8	May not cover all electricity usage, roof and weather dependent.
0:33.4	Paid for surplus requires eligible SEC tariff.
0:36.2	Those plots were quite sinister and serious.
0:39.0	Those plans included assassinating British politicians, paralyzing the British economy.
0:46.4	They looked at ways to starve the population by attacking emergency food supplies.
0:53.1	He developed ways to try and contaminate
0:57.1	British seawater with radioactive waste so they could, so that they could blame it on the US
1:02.4	and help create a division between the US and UK.
1:08.8	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to Cold War history.
1:17.1	Please make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss future episodes.
1:22.3	Olegli Arlin was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War.
1:30.6	I speak with Richard Cabarge, the author of a new book, The Defector, which chronicles Le Alin's story.
1:38.4	The Alin was trained with the KGB's Department 5, which was their sabotage and assassinations department.
1:45.5	He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official.
1:49.1	In early 1971, overwhelmed by personal and professional turmoil,
	...

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