Former head of Soviet intelligence shot himself in Moscow
RIA News. Soviet foreign intelligence, led by Leonid Shebarshin, was able to minimize the subversive activities of Western intelligence services in one of the most difficult periods of the USSR, when the country was on the verge of collapse at the end of the 80-s of the last century, RIA News on Friday the head of the World Trade Analysis Center weapons, chief editor of the magazine "National Defense" Igor Korotchenko.The body of an 77-year-old former head of Soviet foreign intelligence, General Leonid Shebarshin, was found on Friday in his apartment on 2-nd Tverskaya-Yamskaya in Moscow.
"It was to him that Vladimir Kryuchkov, leaving the post of the head of the Soviet foreign intelligence service in 1989 and reseeding the chair of the KGB of the USSR, entrusted this most difficult part of the work. The country was on the verge of disaster, but thanks to efforts, including Shebarshina, the Soviet foreign intelligence, "- said Korotchenko.
At the same time, he emphasized that the appointment of Shebarshin to the post of head of the first head department (PSU) of the KGB of the USSR occurred at the time of the massive identification of traitors, the main body of information on which was received from agent Aldrich Ames, a senior US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer in charge of operations against the USSR. "Then Shebarshina shouldered the work to neutralize these failures, to restructure the system of foreign intelligence agencies of the USSR against the USA," the expert noted.
According to Korotchenko, stories national intelligence Shebarshin occupies a prominent place, given the fact that he has gone from a junior security officer to the head of the PGU of the KGB of the USSR - the deputy chairman of the KGB of the USSR.
The expert recalled that Shebarshin was a representative of the so-called "Indian group", mainly specialized in India, Pakistan and other Asian countries. During Shebarshina's stay as a KGB resident in Tehran, an attempt was made to storm the Soviet embassy. "But thanks to the restraint and composure Shebarshina managed to prevent his capture, in a similar situation, the US Embassy was captured," said Korotchenko.
Shebarshin did much to strengthen the position of Soviet foreign intelligence abroad. “He is a worthy representative of the KGB leadership group and, of course, played a prominent role in consolidating the position of the USSR’s foreign intelligence service in a number of countries. Those who know him personally spoke of him as a professional in the full sense of the word. It is regrettable that he died such a person is undoubtedly a loss for the SVR and the entire Russian intelligence community, "the agency’s source said.
He also added that he personally met with Shebarshin in the middle of 90-s, after his resignation, when he headed a private structure that dealt with information-analytical support and the provision of security services, and it was “discreet, strong-willed, concise, with great self-esteem man. "
Leonid Vladimirovich Shebarshin. Curriculum Vitae
Leonid Vladimirovich Shebarshin was born on March 24 of Moscow 1935 in a working-class family in Moscow. In 1952, he graduated from high school and entered the Institute of Oriental Studies in the Indian department, where he studied Urdu. In 1954, the Institute of Oriental Studies was incorporated into the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, which Shebarshin graduated from in 1958.
In 1958-1962, Leonid Shebarshin was on a business trip to Pakistan as a translator ambassador. In 1959, he received the first diplomatic rank of attaché of the embassy.
After completing a business trip, he worked in the South-East Asia Department of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs as 3 Secretary.
In 1962, Shebarshin was recommended for work in intelligence and in the same year he entered the school of the State Security Committee, which trained personnel for foreign intelligence.
Upon completion of training, he was sent to work in the central intelligence apparatus in the department engaged in Southeast Asia.
In 1964 – 1968, Leonid Shebarshin was again on a business trip to Pakistan through foreign intelligence. Then he was sent to study at the advanced training courses of the Red Banner Institute of the State Security Committee (KGB), which trained leading foreign intelligence personnel.
In 1970 – 1971 worked in the central office of the First Main Directorate (PGU) of the KGB of the USSR.
From 1971 to 1977, Shebarshin was on a long-term business trip to India as a deputy and then foreign intelligence resident.
In 1977-1979 he worked in the central intelligence apparatus.
From 1979 to 1983, the year was a resident of the KGB in Iran.
In 1983-1987, Leonid Shebarshin worked as a deputy and then as a head of the information and analytical department of the PGU of the KGB of the USSR.
From 1987 year to 1989 year - deputy chief of foreign intelligence.
From February 1989 to September 1991 was Head of the First Main Directorate - Deputy Chairman of the KGB.
In the August days of 1991, he served as the head of the KGB.
In 1991, Leonid Shebarshin retired with the rank of lieutenant general.
At the end of 1991, together with a group of veterans of the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he founded and headed the Russian National Economic Security Service CJSC. Led an active social work.
For the exemplary fulfillment of official duty, Shebarshin was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Red Star, many medals, and the badges "Honorary Officer of State Security" and "For Service in Intelligence".
Leonid Shebarshin is the author of several books, articles and essays on the history of foreign intelligence.
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