Russian Spies Cold War Passage

Ex-Soviet spy: 

Evdokia Petrov

By The Guardian, 

adapted by Newsela staff

Published:04/08/2020

The Cold War

During the Cold War, there was disagreement between the Soviet Union and the United States and its allies called the Cold War. The Soviet Union was communist. Countries disagreed about whether this type of government was good for the people.

Many people were spies during the Cold War. Evdokia Petrov was a Soviet spy in Australia. 

Multiple Choice

Who was the Cold War between?

• Russia & China

• Russia & Africa

• Russia & Vietnam

• Russia & U.S.

Evdokia Petrova

Evdokia Alexyevna Petrova was born in 1914 and raised in the Soviet Union. She worked as an official in the state-run labor camps. Evdokia married Vladimir Petrov. Vladimir was a member of the KGB. This was the Soviet Union's secret police. Vladimir was in charge of Soviet spy operations in Australia. 

Soviet Spies

Vladimir had been a Soviet intelligence officer since the 1930s. He worked at the Soviet office in Sweden from 1943 to 1947. After that, the couple worked in Moscow, the Soviet capital. The Petrovs went to Australia in 1951. Vladimir pretended to be a secretary at the Soviet office in Canberra. Evdokia pretended to be a code clerk. 

Trouble for the Petrovs

Trouble soon started in the Canberra office. Evdokia did not get along with the ambassador's wife. Evdokia supposedly threw a pie at her. Meanwhile, Vladimir was on bad terms with his coworkers. In March 1954, the couple were told to return to Moscow.

By that time, Soviet dictator Josef Stalin was dead. KGB boss Lavrenti Beria had been killed, too. For KGB members, it was a difficult time to return home. 

Poll

What event made it difficult for spies to return home?

• Airfare was too expensive.

• Telephones were not working properly.

• Soviet dictator Josef Stalin was dead

• Life in Australia was more comfortable.

Spies in Australia

Vladimir had been talking to the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). He promised to give them proof of Soviet spies in Australia. In return, he asked for protection. Evdokia was not involved with Vladimir's plan. She was to be brought back to Moscow by the KGB. 

Kidnapped

Soviet officials arrived in Australia. They marched Evdokia to a plane at Sydney Airport. A photograph was taken. Many people around the world saw it. The picture made the Soviets look bad. A Polish communist magazine even suggested that Evdokia was being kidnapped.

Open Ended

Describe how Evdokia looks in this photograph. What message do her facial expressions tell us?

Reunited

The plane stopped to refuel at Darwin, Australia. Evdokia asked to remain with her husband in Australia. After long discussions at Darwin, the couple were reunited. 

To Court

In July 1954, the Petrovs had to go to court. Evdokia was seen by the Western world as a "honey-blonde ex-spy." The London News Chronicle called Evdokia "Russia's No. 1 charmer in Australia."

After The Cold War

They gave their testimonies. The Petrovs were not charged with any crimes. 

In 1956, the Petrovs became Australian citizens. They were given new identities. Now they were known as Sven and Maria Anna Allyson. They were constantly watched by Australian security until they died. Vladimir died in 1991, while Evdokia died in 2002 after a back operation.

Multiple Choice

Where the Petrovs charged with any crimes?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Why do you think the Petrovs continued to be watched by Australian security until they died?

Open Ended

What did you learn from this presentation?

Open Ended

What is ONE thing you found interesting from this presentation?

Open Ended

What questions do you still have about what you learned in this presentation?