Recruited by the KGB in 1971 at age 25, Victor Sheymov eventually became the Eighth Chief Directorate s principal troubleshooter, ensuring the security of enciphered KGB communications throughout the world. But as he learned more and more, he became increasingly disillusioned with Communism and the Kremlin elite s corruption. Resolved to inflict as much damage as he could on the system, he evaded his minder on a Warsaw site visit and made contact with the CIA. He became probably the most important CIA asset inside the KGB in the 1980s. The Agency awarded him its Distinguished Service Medal.
Drawing from Victor’s book
Tower of Secrets, his widow Olga, who lived these events with him, tells their real story, including;