Konstantin Volkov (diplomat)
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Konstantin Volkov (Russian: Константин Волков; disappeared September 1945, presumed dead) was an NKVD agent in Turkey who vanished after wanting to defect to the United Kingdom. He disappeared after telling the British Consulate General in Istanbul he would name three high-ranking double agents working in London for the Soviet intellgience service. One of these agents was Kim Philby who tipped off the Russians about what Volkov and his wife were planning. It took Philby three weeks to arrive which was enough time for Soviet security agents to find the couple and take them back to Moscow.
Konstantin Volkov | |
---|---|
Born | Константин Волков |
Occupation(s) | Vice Consul, Istanbul, Turkey |
Known for | failed defection in September 1945 betrayed by British Soviet double agent Kim Philby |
Espionage activity | |
Country | Soviet Union |
Agency | NKVD |
The couple were reportedly last seen boarding a Moscow-bound plane in Istanbul. The British Consulate in Istanbul denounced Philby's behaviour as criminal negligience. However, the Soviet spy was able to allay suspicions of himself by arguing persuasively that he had not been to blame for his delayed travel.