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Oxford Reference. Publications Pages Publications Pages. Recently viewed 0 Save Search. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. National Archives of Australia A, Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov arrived in Australia in On paper, both were diplomats at the Soviet embassy in Canberra.
In fact each had spent almost 20 years in the Soviet intelligence and state security organisations. Vladimir was responsible for decoding instructions from Moscow and for setting up a network of Soviet spies within Australia. Evdokia performed code and cypher work. The Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, died in March In the political chaos that ensued, Lavrentiy Beria, the head of the secret police and a close ally of Stalin, was arrested and executed.
The Petrovs were accused of being Beria supporters. These two issues placed the Petrovs in a precarious situation. If they were to return to the Soviet Union, they could be jailed or executed. In early Vladimir decided he would defect. He did not inform his wife. ASIO learned Ivanov was seeking to create a clandestine relationship with a person in a position of influence, in order to manipulate political and trade discussions between Australia and the Soviet Union.
The Petrovs and countering Cold War espionage. Back to top. Skip to the content. The Petrov Affair.
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