Leonid Shebarshin: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Soviet intelligence chairman}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| name = Leonid Shebarshin<br> <br/><small>Леонид Шебаршин</small> |
| name = Leonid Shebarshin<br> <br/><small>Леонид Шебаршин</small> |
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| image = [[File:Leonid Shebarshin.jpg|250px]] |
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| term_end2 = 22 September 1991 |
| term_end2 = 22 September 1991 |
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'''Leonid Vladimirovich Shebarshin''' ({{lang-ru|Леонид Владимирович Шебаршин}}; 24 March 1935 – 30 March 2012) became head of the [[First Chief Directorate]] of the [[KGB]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/ED02Ag01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030416135512/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/ED02Ag01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=16 April 2003|title=Russia warns of Iraqi fallout|last=Blagov|first=Sergei|date=2 April 2003|newspaper=Asia Times|access-date=11 February 2011}}</ref> in January 1989, when the former FCD chief, [[Vladimir Kryuchkov]], was promoted to KGB chief. Prior to that, Shebarshin had served as Kryuchkov's deputy from April 1987.<ref name="Death">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17565104|title=Soviet ex-KGB chief Leonid Shebarshin 'kills himself'| |
'''Leonid Vladimirovich Shebarshin''' ({{lang-ru|Леонид Владимирович Шебаршин}}; 24 March 1935 – 30 March 2012) became head of the [[First Chief Directorate]] of the [[KGB]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/ED02Ag01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030416135512/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/ED02Ag01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=16 April 2003|title=Russia warns of Iraqi fallout|last=Blagov|first=Sergei|date=2 April 2003|newspaper=Asia Times|access-date=11 February 2011}}</ref> in January 1989, when the former FCD chief, [[Vladimir Kryuchkov]], was promoted to KGB chief. Prior to that, Shebarshin had served as Kryuchkov's deputy from April 1987.<ref name="Death">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17565104|title=Soviet ex-KGB chief Leonid Shebarshin 'kills himself'|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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In 1968, Shebarshin returned to Moscow and took a year-long training course to improve managerial staff. In early 1971, he was sent as a deputy KGB resident in India, and in 1975, he was appointed a resident. |
In 1968, Shebarshin returned to Moscow and took a year-long training course to improve managerial staff. In early 1971, he was sent as a deputy KGB resident in India, and in 1975, he was appointed a resident. |
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During the trip, there was [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|another Indo-Pakistani War]], which ended with the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|division of Pakistan]] and the secession of [[East Pakistan]] as [[Bangladesh]], along with a [[The Emergency (India)|state of emergency in India]]. Close attention required activities of American representatives in India; for decades, the United States remained the main opponent of the Soviet Union and the main object of the aspirations of Soviet intelligence. Great importance in that period was India's relations with China. Job residency on the key areas were assessed positively by the |
During the trip, there was [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|another Indo-Pakistani War]], which ended with the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|division of Pakistan]] and the secession of [[East Pakistan]] as [[Bangladesh]], along with a [[The Emergency (India)|state of emergency in India]]. Close attention required activities of American representatives in India; for decades, the United States remained the main opponent of the Soviet Union and the main object of the aspirations of Soviet intelligence. Great importance in that period was India's relations with China. Job residency on the key areas were assessed positively by the center and the political leadership of the USSR. |
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==Iran== |
==Iran== |
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In September 1991, as a result of differences with the new leadership of the KGB submits a report on the resignation and dismissed from military service. |
In September 1991, as a result of differences with the new leadership of the KGB submits a report on the resignation and dismissed from military service. |
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At the end of that year, together with his colleagues and friends |
At the end of that year, together with his colleagues and friends – former chief of analytical department of the KGB, Lieutenant-General Leonov and former vice-president – Head of the Main Directorate of the KGB in Moscow and Moscow region, Lieutenant-General V. Prilukovym establish AO Russia national office of economic security." |
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LV Shebarshin awarded the Order of the Red Banner (1981), Red Star (1970), the medal "For Military Merit" (1967), a "honorary member of the State Security" (1972). His name is immortalized in the museum's Foreign Intelligence Service. |
LV Shebarshin awarded the Order of the Red Banner (1981), Red Star (1970), the medal "For Military Merit" (1967), a "honorary member of the State Security" (1972). His name is immortalized in the museum's Foreign Intelligence Service. |
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When KGB Chief Kryuchkov was arrested following the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|unsuccessful August 1991 coup]] against [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], Shebarshin became head of the KGB for two days. RSFSR President [[Boris Yeltsin]] objected to the appointment and demanded a new candidate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marples |first=David R. |
When KGB Chief Kryuchkov was arrested following the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|unsuccessful August 1991 coup]] against [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], Shebarshin became head of the KGB for two days. RSFSR President [[Boris Yeltsin]] objected to the appointment and demanded a new candidate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marples |first=David R. |title=The Collapse of the Soviet Union: 1985-1991 |publisher=Pearson |year=2004 |isbn=1-4058-9857-7 |edition=1 |location=Harlow, England |pages=87 |language=en |hdl=2027/mdp.39015059113335 |oclc=607381176 |ref=none}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Vadim Bakatin]], whose job was essentially to dismantle the KGB. Shebarshin returned to his post as FCD head until Bakatin announced a new FCD deputy director, [[Vladimir Rozhkov]], without consulting him. Shebarshin resigned his post on 20 September 1991. |
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With his friend, [[Nikolai Leonov]], Shebarshin founded a consulting firm, the Russian National Economic Security Service (RNESS), which is based in Moscow. |
With his friend, [[Nikolai Leonov]], Shebarshin founded a consulting firm, the Russian National Economic Security Service (RNESS), which is based in Moscow. |
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He committed suicide in [[Moscow]] by shooting himself with his own gun.<ref name="Death"/> He was 77.<ref name=reu30march>{{cite news|title=Former Soviet KGB spy chief commits suicide|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-spy-suicide-idUSBRE82T0WZ20120330|access-date=31 March 2013| |
He committed suicide in [[Moscow]] by shooting himself with his own gun.<ref name="Death"/> He was 77.<ref name=reu30march>{{cite news|title=Former Soviet KGB spy chief commits suicide|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-spy-suicide-idUSBRE82T0WZ20120330|access-date=31 March 2013|agency=Reuters|date=30 March 2012|author=Alexei Anishchuk|author2=Steve Gutterman|location=Moscow}}</ref> By that time, he had survived a stroke which led to complete blindness. According to his friends and colleagues, he suffered from hard depression and lost a lot of weight, which was caused by a serious illness.<ref>''[http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2012/04/02/964515.html An Illness Could Be The Only Cause of the Suicide Committed by the Ex-Director of the Soviet Foreign Intelligence Service]'' // Rosbalt, 2012-04-02 (in Russian)</ref><ref>Sergei Smirnov, ''[http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2012/03/30_a_4113669.shtml The Last Soviet Intelligence Officer]'' // [[Gazeta.ru]], 2012-03-30 (in Russian)</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 23:13, 13 July 2022
Leonid Shebarshin Леонид Шебаршин | |
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![]() | |
Acting Chairman of the Committee for State Security | |
In office 22 August 1991 – 23 August 1991 | |
Premier | Vitaly Doguzhiyev (аcting) |
Preceded by | Vladimir Kryuchkov |
Succeeded by | Vadim Bakatin |
The head of the foreign intelligence service of the KGB USSR | |
In office 6 February 1989 – 22 September 1991 | |
Preceded by | Vladimir Kryuchkov |
Succeeded by | Yevgeny Primakov |
Personal details | |
Born | Moscow, Soviet Union | 24 March 1935
Died | 30 March 2012 Troyekurovskoye Cemetery, Moscow, Russia | (aged 77)
Nationality | Soviet and Russian |
Political party | Communist Party of the Soviet Union |
Leonid Vladimirovich Shebarshin (Russian: Леонид Владимирович Шебаршин; 24 March 1935 – 30 March 2012) became head of the First Chief Directorate of the KGB[1] in January 1989, when the former FCD chief, Vladimir Kryuchkov, was promoted to KGB chief. Prior to that, Shebarshin had served as Kryuchkov's deputy from April 1987.[2]
Early life
After graduating in 1952 from high school with a silver medal, Shebarshin entered the Indian branch of the Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies. In connection with the closing of the institute in 1954, he was transferred to the third course of Faculty of Oriental Studies MGIMO.
In 1957, he married another classmate, a student of the Chinese Branch Nina Vassilyevna Pushkina. Upon graduation, he sent in October 1958 to work as a referent of the USSR Embassy in Pakistan. In 1962, he completed the trip to the post of third secretary of the embassy and was taken to work in the department of South-East Asian Affairs of the USSR.
Pakistan
Also in 1962, he was invited to join the KGB First Chief Directorate and began a new career in the rank of second lieutenant and security officer positions. After a year training in intelligence school, was sent to work in Pakistan under diplomatic cover.
The importance of Pakistan for intelligence at the time determined by the participation of the country's military-political blocs CENTO and SEATO, close ties with the United States, the conflict relations with neighboring India, and rapprochement with China. Extraordinary interest is the large American colony in India: military advisers, diplomats, spies, journalists, etc. Acquisition sources in U.S. facilities was the most important task of all foreign residencies of the KGB.
At the initiative of the Soviet Union, leaders of the warring parties, Pakistani President Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri met in January 1966 in Tashkent to end the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. This was a major diplomatic success of the Soviet side, and presided at her Kosygin. For contribution to the preparation of the conference, LV Shebarshin was promoted to the post. In the service characteristics indicated that LV Shebarshin "achieved concrete results in the recruiting work." The clerical language means buying agents in the intelligence penetration of objects.
Indien
In 1968, Shebarshin returned to Moscow and took a year-long training course to improve managerial staff. In early 1971, he was sent as a deputy KGB resident in India, and in 1975, he was appointed a resident.
During the trip, there was another Indo-Pakistani War, which ended with the division of Pakistan and the secession of East Pakistan as Bangladesh, along with a state of emergency in India. Close attention required activities of American representatives in India; for decades, the United States remained the main opponent of the Soviet Union and the main object of the aspirations of Soviet intelligence. Great importance in that period was India's relations with China. Job residency on the key areas were assessed positively by the center and the political leadership of the USSR.
Iran
In April 1977, a six-year trip to India ended, and in late 1978, he received orders to prepare to work in Pahlavi Iran. Intelligence predicting the fall of the monarchy in Iran came true when the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in January 1979, ran for the border. The spiritual leader of the opposition, Ayatollah Khomeini, returned to Iran and received national recognition the title of "Imam". The Iranian Revolution marked an unprecedented intensification of the internal political struggle, degenerated into armed clashes and numerous acts of terror, undertaken by all contending parties.
Losing a loyal ally and client, the Shah, he tried to regain its position in Iran, the United States, stepped up the opponents and supporters of the Soviet Union. In November 1979, students, the followers of Khomeini took "by storm the U.S. Embassy and hostage-taking of American diplomats, Iran's relationship with the U.S. are broken. These, however, does not mean changing the situation in favor of the USSR. The Iranian leadership was determined to prevent the growing influence of its northern neighbor. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 has led to a noticeable cooling of the Iranian-Soviet relations and the reason for the repeated attacks on the Soviet embassy."
The residency suffered losses, the conditions for work with sources being extremely complex. Still, Moscow has received accurate and timely intelligence information. In 1982 was the worst event in the life of Shebarshin, treason. He escaped through Turkey to the West on a false British passport residency officer, Vladimir Kuzichkin (as it turned out later that the traitor was recruited by British intelligence in the Shah's time, and, panicked by the danger of exposure, ran). The consequences of betrayal was partly contained. A few sources, which could tell the traitor, were withdrawn from the blow, but the moral and political damage was great. Whatever the causes and circumstances of incidents, the resident is fully responsible for everything that happens at the station. On the flight AK was reported to Brezhnev. "Well," said Leonid Ilyich, "is a war and a war without the loss does not happen."
Later life
In 1983, Shebarshin returned to Moscow for a few months in the headquarters unit under the chief of the PGU Vladimir Kryuchkov and was appointed deputy chief of information-analytical department of intelligence. In 1984 Shebarshin, accompanying Kryuchkov, went on mission in Kabul belligerent. Until mid-1991, he had to commit more than 20 missions in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan to become intimately familiar, with the leaders of the country Babrak Karmal, Mohammad Najibullah, and Sultan Ali Keshtmand. In 1987, Shebarshin appointed deputy chief of PGU KGB and manages intelligence operations in the Middle East and Africa. In February 1989, he replaced Kryuchkov as vice president and he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
In September 1991, as a result of differences with the new leadership of the KGB submits a report on the resignation and dismissed from military service.
At the end of that year, together with his colleagues and friends – former chief of analytical department of the KGB, Lieutenant-General Leonov and former vice-president – Head of the Main Directorate of the KGB in Moscow and Moscow region, Lieutenant-General V. Prilukovym establish AO Russia national office of economic security."
LV Shebarshin awarded the Order of the Red Banner (1981), Red Star (1970), the medal "For Military Merit" (1967), a "honorary member of the State Security" (1972). His name is immortalized in the museum's Foreign Intelligence Service.
When KGB Chief Kryuchkov was arrested following the unsuccessful August 1991 coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, Shebarshin became head of the KGB for two days. RSFSR President Boris Yeltsin objected to the appointment and demanded a new candidate.[3] He was replaced by Vadim Bakatin, whose job was essentially to dismantle the KGB. Shebarshin returned to his post as FCD head until Bakatin announced a new FCD deputy director, Vladimir Rozhkov, without consulting him. Shebarshin resigned his post on 20 September 1991.
With his friend, Nikolai Leonov, Shebarshin founded a consulting firm, the Russian National Economic Security Service (RNESS), which is based in Moscow.
He committed suicide in Moscow by shooting himself with his own gun.[2] He was 77.[4] By that time, he had survived a stroke which led to complete blindness. According to his friends and colleagues, he suffered from hard depression and lost a lot of weight, which was caused by a serious illness.[5][6]
See also
References
- ^ Blagov, Sergei (2 April 2003). "Russia warns of Iraqi fallout". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2003. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Soviet ex-KGB chief Leonid Shebarshin 'kills himself'". BBC. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ^ Marples, David R. (2004). The Collapse of the Soviet Union: 1985-1991 (1 ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson. p. 87. hdl:2027/mdp.39015059113335. ISBN 1-4058-9857-7. OCLC 607381176.
- ^ Alexei Anishchuk; Steve Gutterman (30 March 2012). "Former Soviet KGB spy chief commits suicide". Moscow. Reuters. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ An Illness Could Be The Only Cause of the Suicide Committed by the Ex-Director of the Soviet Foreign Intelligence Service // Rosbalt, 2012-04-02 (in Russian)
- ^ Sergei Smirnov, The Last Soviet Intelligence Officer // Gazeta.ru, 2012-03-30 (in Russian)
External links
- Последний бой КГБ (The Last Battle of the KGB) Leonid Shebarshin memories, Moscow (2013), 256 p (in Russian) – ISBN 9785443803364