Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed deep condolences on the death of Georgy Ivanovich (George) Blake.
The telegram, published on the Kremlin’s website, says that Colonel Blake was “a brilliant professional – with special vitality and courage.” According to Putin, over the years of hard, hard work “he has made a truly invaluable contribution to ensuring strategic parity and maintaining peace on the planet.”
“The bright memory of this legendary man will forever remain in our hearts,” the message says.
Earlier it was reported that scout George Blake died in Moscow at the age of 98. After World War II, he entered the British MI6. He also learned Russian and recruited agents in Eastern Europe. Then he was sent to Seoul and during the Korean War was in North Korean captivity, after which he became a convinced communist. After his release, Blake worked in Berlin, transferring classified information to the British special services to Soviet intelligence.
In the late 50s, it was discovered. The spy received 42 years according to the number of agents he failed – a year for each. But five years later, Blake managed to escape from a British prison. He moved to the USSR, and in Moscow he worked under the name Georgy Bekhter.