logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
35m 45s

41. Putin’s Minions: How Russia Spies (E...

Goalhanger
About this episode
What do a fading seaside hotel, a self-proclaimed Q, and an eyelash champion have in common? They're all part of a bizarre Russian spy ring operating in the UK. But beneath the absurdity lies a serious threat. What were these "Minions" really up to? And how close did they come to compromising Western security? This is the story of a group of Bulgarians, d ... Show More
Up next
Jul 15
176. The True Story of the Spies Held Hostage by China (Ep 2)
A Chinese fighter jet and American spy plane collide over the South China Seas. And now a US aircrew are held hostage by their Chinese captors. David and Gordon reach the dramatic crescendo of their story exploring the downing of a US spy plane over the South China Seas. -------- ... Show More
47m 29s
Jul 12
175. How China Downed a US Spy Plane (Ep 1)
What happens when a Chinese Fighter jet crashes into a US spy plane? The result is death, hostages and a major crisis with lessons for what could spark a war today. Listen as David and Gordon tell the infamous story of the Hainan Island Incident. ------------------- THE REST IS C ... Show More
36m 38s
Jul 8
174. The Murder of Litvinenko: Did the British State Hide the Truth? (Ep 6)
Did the British state try to bury the truth of what happened to Alexander Litvinenko? And how did his wife, Marina, continue battling for justice? Listen as David and Gordon conclude their series on the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. ------------------- THE REST IS CLASSIFIED LI ... Show More
47m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
Bonus: Ex-Head of MI6: How Russian Spies Likely Got Caught in UK
After a major national security investigation into Moscow’s espionage efforts, Great Britain unmasked an alleged Russian spy ring. Three Bulgarian nationals suspected of working for Russian security services were charged with possessing numerous forged identification documents. O ... Show More
13m 8s
Mar 2024
The Spy Who Saved MI5 | The Spider and the Fly | 1
MI5 is on its knees at the dawn of the 1970s: Soviet spies are running free around the country and the government won’t boot them out for fear of upsetting Moscow. But the danger from inaction is growing because a spy from the KGB’s most-secret department has just been posted to ... Show More
36m 32s
Jul 2025
Episode 7: From Russia With Love
A Marsalek-backed ring of operatives goes on trial in the UK for espionage. A treasure trove of text messages reveals their inner workings. Get ad-free access to the entire season of Hot Money: Agent of Chaos by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-f ... Show More
36m 49s
Apr 2024
The Spy Who Saved MI5 | The Dominoes Fall | 4
Operation Foot is now happening. And British government knows that its attempt to neutralise the KGB in London will be met with hostility from Moscow. But it’s not just the UK that must prepare for the retaliation, for Oleg Lyalin is also about to discover what it will cost to es ... Show More
38m 46s
Mar 2025
The Spies Who Invaded Suburbia | The New Illegals | 2
With the undercover Russian spies making moves to get closer to Hilary Clinton, Moscow sends a new illegal to America: Anna Chapman. And she’s on a mission to wow Manhattan.Have you got a spy story you’d like us to tell? Email your ideas to thespywho@wondery.com. See Privacy Poli ... Show More
49m 21s
Apr 2024
The Spy Who Saved MI5 | The Pressure Cooker | 2
Oleg Lyalin is now compromised. To survive, he must now find a way to maintain the fictions of his multiple lives. But when his messy love life spirals out of control, Moscow sends in a KGB investigator to uncover what’s really going on in London.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on ... Show More
36m 36s
Jun 2025
The Spy Who Saved MI5 (Encore) | The Spider and the Fly | 1
<p>MI5 is on its knees at the dawn of the 1970s: Soviet spies are running free around the country and the government won’t boot them out for fear of upsetting Moscow. But the danger from inaction is growing because a spy from the KGB’s most-secret department has just been posted ... Show More
36m 51s