Espionage, Betrayal, and Family Secrets

“Working in intelligence not only disfigures your life and soul, it does the same to strangers who are forced to become involved in it”. So says Dmitry Bystrolyotov, one of the key figures in Shaun Walker’s The Illegals, which covers the century-long history of Russia’s most secretive spy programme.

Illegals are trained for years in language and mannerisms so that they can eventually blend into foreign societies and spy for Moscow without rousing suspicion. But this most intense of spying programmes brings with it a whole new level of emotional drama and anguish.

From arranged marriages and children who find out they are really Russian, to surprise meetings with Vladimir Putin and family betrayal – Shaun Walker will talk about the emotional side of deep-cover espionage, spanning from the Russian Revolution to the present day.

The talk will be held in English.