A look at the history of Soviet counterintelligence: the fate of spy Vasily Kirillov

This article provides an analysis on the life and experiences of Vasily Ageevich Kirillov, a behind-the-front-line intelligence officer stationed on the Karelian Front during World War II. The research is based on archival documents obtained from the Archive of the Directorate of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation for the Republic of Karelia. These documents, some of which were declassified and introduced into scholarly circulation in 2023, serve as the primary sources for this study. The article discusses various forms and techniques used in Kirillov’s training by the Soviet military counterintelligence, as well as his deployment behind enemy lines. A significant focus is placed on evaluating the effectiveness of Kirillov’s intelligence activities in hostile territories. The article acknowledges the challenges and intricacies faced by intelligence officers during the positional war between the USSR and Finland from 1941 to 1944. Furthermore, this research investigates the circumstances surrounding Kirillov’s conviction in 1944 and subsequent exoneration in 1960. By shedding light on this historical event, the study contributes to the existing Russian historiography concerning the domestic intelligence services during the Great Patriotic War.