Most people in the United States know nothing of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency (SVR), except what they heard in various media reports…
This is, of course by design.
As a spy agency their work is mostly secret and shrouded in mystery…
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Services (SVR) has an exhibition of very rare and unusual spy items on display to the public, dated back to the cold war and WW2.
“It is a unique event in the history of Russian Foreign Intelligence Services (SVR)…", said Sergei IvanovSergei Ivanov who is SVR Minister, Office of Public Relations. Quoting this from official press release dated December 23, 2010 (see: http://svr.gov.ru/2010/podm20101223.htm)
The exhibition of about 200 items consisting, mostly rare portraits and photographs of famous agents and “scouts” a terms used to refer to intelligence operatives.
In addition many rare documents are on display for the first time for the public to come see and include reports to Stalin of the impending attack on the Soviet Union in WW2. It should be noted that “many people died so he could have that intelligence information”, said one SVR official. Adding: “It is very usual for a historic document of such importance to the state to be on display like this.”
The pride of the spy museum, a typewriter and a jacket of British and Soviet spy Kim Philby (see Kim Philby wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Philby) .
Philby was, of course, a member of the notorious "Cambridge Five" considered perhaps one the most important spies for the Soviet Union during the Cold War period. For his dedication and work he received many distinguished awards, including “the Order of LeninLenin, Red Banner and Friendships of Peoples badge.”
See also video: Philby the Masterspy: Soviet triple agent’s top secret story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBg0ar7Nnc
Also on display are some personal belongings of Alexei Botya – a very important individual in history of KBG and special services.
The main exhibition when you first come inside tells the story of national foreign intelligence Russia and walks you through almost 90 years of history pertaining to one of the oldest spy services in the world.
Many amazing stories and historical photographs illustrate well the exploits of scouts and spies during the Great Patriotic War (WW2), as well to the present.
See video: Russia’s SVR Intelligence Agency (Ex.KGB) Proud to Present 90 Years of Spying – Official http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep8OTybd5Rg
See also:
For more information on this unique history exhibit of artifacts you may call SVR HQ in Moscow and speak with Office of Public Relations. He stand ready to answer all your questions about this or other matters pertaining to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Services (SVR).
Call (499) 245-3368 or e-mail http://mailto:svr@gov.ru
They would like to hear from you today.
Robert Tilford