In 2010, two decades after the Cold War had ended, ten Russian spies were arrested in America, having hidden their true identities from their friends, neighbours and even their children. They were part of a spy programme that had begun nearly a century earlier, when the revolutionary Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizens abroad to pose as foreign aristocrats, merchants and students. These deep-cover missions - some remarkable feats of espionage, others high-profile failures - could last for decades. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews, as well as newly discovered archival material, Shaun Walker brings this history to life in The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and the Plot to Infiltrate the West, a page-turning tour de force that goes to the heart of what became the most ambitious espionage programme in history. Book giveaway https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway1/ Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode397/ Related episodes Portland Spy Ring Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/292bd Portland Spy Ring Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/4471e The Bridge of Spies spy https://pod.fo/e/15f244 Discovering your husband is a KGB spy https://pod.fo/e/17a1c4 I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/9c88f I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/9e0a6 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices