Khokhlov Nikolay Evgenyevich (1922–2007) was a Soviet illegal intelligence officer, an officer of the NKVD–MGB–KGB, and later a defector to the West and memoirist. He was born in Nizhny Novgorod (then Gorky). He became known as one of the intelligence officers who publicly refused to carry out an order to commit murder and went over to the enemy side during the Cold War.
Service in the Soviet security organs
After finishing school in the summer of 1940, Khokhlov intended to become an actor. In September 1941 he was recruited by officers of the 2nd Department of the NKVD, headed by Pavel Sudoplatov, and was included in the agent and sabotage apparatus.[1] During World War II he operated in German-occupied territories under cover: he posed as German officers and foreigners and took part in operations to eliminate Nazi functionaries.[1] In particular, he personally conducted operational work with Galina Mazanik, a maid of Wilhelm Kube, the Gauleiter of Belorussia, from whom he sought cooperation.[2] Khokhlov described these episodes in his memoirs, noting that he was only about twenty-one years old at the time of the operation.
Defection to the West and assassination attempt
In 1954, Khokhlov refused to carry out a KGB order to assassinate an émigré figure and presented himself to the West German intelligence services, revealing the details of the operation that was being prepared. In the USSR he was sentenced to death in absentia.[1] In 1957 Khokhlov was poisoned, allegedly with a radioactive isotope, thallium, or polonium; he spent several weeks in the hospital but survived. By his own conviction, this was not the only attempt by the KGB of the USSR to destroy him.[1]
Books
Khokhlov wrote memoirs in Russian in which he set out in detail the story of his service in the NKVD–MGB–KGB and the circumstances of his break with the Soviet security organs. The book The Right to Conscience circulated in the West and was available in Russian-speaking émigré circles.[2] In 2017, his memoirs were published in Russia under the title "The Liquidator from Lubyanka. Carrying Out the Orders of Pavel Sudoplatov" (Alistorus publishing house, series "Memoirs Marked 'Secret'").[3] In 2024 the book was republished by the Rodina publishing house in the series "The Art of Intelligence" under the title "The Liquidator from Lubyanka. Carrying Out the Orders of Sudoplatov."[1]
Nizhny Novgorod connection
Khokhlov was born in Nizhny Novgorod. The city is his place of origin, but the best-known part of his biography is connected with Moscow and with the foreign operations of the Soviet intelligence services.
References
- Wikidata (Q3039651 — entry in the free knowledge base)
- VIAF (74765038 — Virtual International Authority File)
- ISNI (0000000078289685)
- GND (123628946 — catalog of the German National Library)
Sources
- labirint.ru — Book: The Liquidator from Lubyanka. Carrying Out Sudoplatov's Orders — Nikolay Khokhlov. Buy the book, read reviews — Labirint
- 500book.net — The Right to Conscience — Khokhlov Nikolay Evgenyevich » Read books online for free without registration, Page 18
- litres.ru — "The Liquidator from Lubyanka. Carrying Out Pavel Sudoplatov's Orders" by Nikolay Khokhlov, read an excerpt online for free without registration