Meet Mr Long: The KGB’s Throwaway Spy | True Life Spy Stories

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In October 1971, American nuclear-powered submarine USS Halibut slipped into the frigid waters of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Navy divers emerged from the vessel, descending 400 feet below the water's surface where they located their target - an undersea communications cable transmitting mostly unencrypted messages between two key Soviet naval bases.

The divers proceeded to attach a 20-foot long recording device to the cable. Once they completed their mission, they returned to the Halibut which shrunk back into the shadowy depths of the sea.

For the next 10 years, American intelligence listened in to all Soviet communications transmitted along the undersea cable. Considered by many as the most important intelligence-gathering operation of the Cold War, the US learned of Soviet submarine and missile technology, its state of military preparedness, and its nuclear first-strike capabilities.

But then suddenly, in 1980, the messages stopped. Operation Ivy Bells, a joint Navy, NSA and CIA operation, was over.

That the undersea wiretap had been discovered by the Soviets by chance was highly unlikely - the compromise of Operation Ivy Bells must have been an inside job. It would only be years later that American intelligence would discover the man behind the compromise.

Mr Long, real name Ronald W. Pelton, was an NSA agent turned Soviet spy and traitor. It is believed however that he was just a throwaway spy - discarded by the KGB to protect their more valuable asset...

#philipthompson #truelifespystories #ronaldpelton

[nserekoraymond]

Yochenko was a crazy spy for defecting twice. Interesting man

[JB_user]

excellent video. It is great that certain people from different videos make reappearance in newer videos. It speaks volumes of how intertwined and closed off the world of espionage is.

[laurenmp]

The fact a former NSA employee called the Soviet Embassy, is just wild. He of all people would know the embassy phone was tapped, yet he was so sure of himself, that he somehow just didn't bother to think of it. Or if he did, he decided he could get away with. Without that, all the FBI would know is it was a man with red hair.

[juliia]

You have become one of my favorite channels 😊 great work!

[GaryPritchard]

Another excellent video. Well done Philip. 1985 was quite some year for spies. Looking forward to your next video.

[Kakekutter]

Its a dirty game and for just 35k thats crazy

[LEredridinghood]

Really fascinating to hear about all the spies, including lesser known ones who still did great harm. Thanks for another fab video!

[DJJ]

Was he Air Force or navy? You said he enlisted jn the Air Force but then was discharged from the navy…

[vink]

I find it interesting how spies often defect for reasons related to their country's reputation. The Soviets were all about their communistic ideology, and Soviets often defected for ideological reasons. The Americans were all about capitalism, and Americans usually defected because they wanted more money. I don't know if any Canadians have ever defected, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was for maple-syrup related reasons...

[TM-yniu]

A brilliant and factual summary. I began to expand on this, but it is really disturbing/difficult. This and other similar actions, to the top, can only leave you empty...and for what - a dollar, power. I've read this story and others. Video appreciated.

[talmiz]

awesome episode keep it up Phil! you can and have so far done it!

[therunt]

I've been trying to watch this for three days, finally!

[nserekoraymond]

Financial constraints played great roles in making Americans spies against their own country.

[daviddavis]

All of that security damage, risking other people’s lives, and getting life sentence… for only 35k$? What a loser smh

[phizaal]

Who is this AI saffa? I like him and his work very much. Great video mate

[theshivelyshow]

I was in a meeting but then they saw Philip Thompson uploaded

[exvan]

Great channel! Have you considered Rutland of Jutland as a subject? There is a recent well-researched book "Beverly Hills Spy" and his story rivals that of Eddie Chapman, Agent Zigzag, .

[clintbeastwood]

Excellent video! I thought he died in prison.

[busterbiloxi]

3:08. That's quite the hairstyle. Goofball.

[Rhombohedral]

Nor the Americans nor the Russians paid him enough