Special Operators: The KGB, Soviet Union

Explore the powerful and secretive world of the KGB, the Soviet Union's intelligence agency. Discover their operations, influence, and ultimate decline in this captivating overview of a formidable organization.

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[JohnnyAFG]

The best line I’ve ever read about the KGB is when they asked a Soviet defector about ex-KGB agents. He replied with “there is no such thing as ex-KGB agents”-

[KJ-ingz]

So a KGB inspector goes to visit a Siberian prison to check on the inmates in their cells.
First, he goes to the first cell and asks the inmate, “Why were you arrested?” The inmate replies, “My watch was always ten minutes late and thus, I was always late for work so they assumed I was always late because I was planning a coup.”
He then proceeds to go to the second cell and asks the inmate the same question. The inmate replies, “My watch was always ten minutes ahead and thus, they assumed I came early because I’m a Western spy.”
After that he goes to the third cell and asks the inmate the same question as the previous two. The inmate replies, “My watch was always correct and thus, I always came to work on time so they assumed that I smuggled the watch from the West.”

[timsamaroo]

I would love to see a video on the Stasi agency that operated in Germany during the period of the Cold War

[Fairly_Epic]

Ding dong...The KGB will wait for no one! -Jim Halpert

[babscabs]

In 10 years every Simon Whistler video will be just him repeating "We've done a video on that we've done a video on that we've done a video on that"

[CharlieFoxtrot]

There's a fantastic, albeit somewhat terrifying, book called 'The Sword and the Shield' that goes deep into the KGB and its operations. It was co-written by an actual KGB agent who had access to their files. It's pretty dry, but it's one of the best looks into the KGB's history. Hence the 'terrifying.' They were everywhere back in the day. It's some unsettling shit to read.

[themightymoose]

I think a video series going into the manuals and tactics that they would use with spies would be a fascinating video series. Perhaps a good topic for your channel into the shadows?

[Galaar]

I'm convinced a guy I served with was caught in a honeypot around 2005. A sailor with a TS clearance randomly meeting a hot Moldavian in Japan that's immediately into him was always suspicious, but nothing could be proved. Fast forward 18 years and he's repeating Kremlin talking points from Russian trenches in Ukraine and is currently on his way to Chechnya, claiming to interview Kadyrov as "the only independent Western journalist" in the region and I cannot convey the proper amount of sarcasm via text when I repeat the claim that he's a "journalist."

[BlizzardofKnives]

Reminds me of a line from James Bond: The World Is Not Enough comparing the FSB to the KGB. "Same old friendly service with a new name".

[aq]

This is great work, Simon. This series is awesome.

[Kaltagstar]

I'm so glad that you're continuing this series and I'd love to see a video about the Jegertroppen, Norway's all female special operations unit, just because it doesn't seem like there's a lot of content out about them compared to, say, the SAS or Navy Seals.

[BidyutDey-hf]

Very well done. Thank you Simon and company.. This is great work, Simon. This series is awesome..

[TheLegend-qkux]

I love this channel for what it does and it gives me tears for what it reveals

[mr.awesome]

That interview with the KGB agent who talks about the slow infiltration of US schools and decay of American values through generational division is actually pretty scary. Mostly because we can see it happening today. Naturally or not.

[Vulcanus]

Can we get a similar video on the CIA and MI6?

[TheCatBilbo]

How much suffering & intrigue was the KGB responsible for? A tool of the State that could do ANYTHING in support of The Motherland & its interests - no matter where in the World.

Part of its power was its reputation - which became a weapon in its own right. I drove past KGB HQ in 1987, a relatively benign-looking building, but it sent a chill down my spine just because of that.

[ordomaliosangeloseterna]

I'm reminded of a teacher from China as a legal. He was a translator for international deals. Could bring doctors from China to talk to us. Also he taught us about the forbidden kingdoms insane ancient spying techniques. Cool guy.

[nunavutstonefist]

I literally just finished watching “The Death of Stalin”, and this popped up while I was watching.
Serendipitous!
Steve Buscemi was amazing as Khrushchev in that film.

[ahmadmuhammadadamu]

I consider myself an espionage aficionado and take it upon myself to devour any and all literature, movie, tv-shows, etc on the subject, but I had absolutely no idea about the existence of those KGB training manuals, until I watched this video. Thanks, Simon.

[michaelhoule]

Please please please do the GRU, they were something else.