Special Tasks

Special Tasks: The Memoirs of an Unwanted Witness—A Soviet Spymaster is the autobiography of Pavel Sudoplatov, who was a member of the intelligence services of the Soviet Union who rose to the rank of lieutenant general.[1]

When it was published in 1994, it caused a considerable uproar for a number of reasons. It also made him well known outside Russia by providing a detailed look at Soviet intelligence and Soviet internal politics during his years at the top. The book also described the Soviet state view on the term "special tasks" which Sudoplatov described as "sabotage, kidnapping and assassination" beyond the USSR's borders.[2] Sudoplatov was known for managing the two plots that led to the assassination of Leon Trotsky.[2][3][4]

  1. ^ Vaksberg, Arkadiĭ (2011). Toxic Politics: The Secret History of the Kremlin's Poison Laboratory — from the Special Cabinet to the Death of Litvinenko (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. p. 112. ISBN 9780313387463. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
  2. ^ a b Legvold, Robert (July 1994). "Special Tasks: The Memoirs of an Unwanted Witness, A Soviet Spymaster". ISSN 0015-7120.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Stout, David (1996-09-28). "Pavel Sudoplatov, 89, Dies; Top Soviet Spy Who Accused Oppenheimer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-24.