Luke LaManna

Anna was released from prison on January 6th, 2023. After that, she moved to Puerto Rico, saying she hoped to live a quiet and private life. It goes without saying that her family is barely a part of it. Follow Redacted Declassified Mysteries on the Wondery app, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can listen to every episode of Redacted early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondery.com slash survey. From Ballin Studios and Wondery, this is Redacted Declassified Mysteries, hosted by me, Luke LaManna. A quick note about our stories.

You can listen to every episode of Redacted early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondery.com slash survey. From Ballin Studios and Wondery, this is Redacted Declassified Mysteries, hosted by me, Luke LaManna. A quick note about our stories.

We do a lot of research, but some details and scenes are dramatized. We used many different sources for our show, but we especially recommend Codename Blue Wren. The true story of America's most dangerous female spy and the sister she betrayed by Jim Popkin. And True Believer, inside the investigation and capture of Ana Montes, Cuba's master spy by Scott Carmichael.

We do a lot of research, but some details and scenes are dramatized. We used many different sources for our show, but we especially recommend Codename Blue Wren. The true story of America's most dangerous female spy and the sister she betrayed by Jim Popkin. And True Believer, inside the investigation and capture of Ana Montes, Cuba's master spy by Scott Carmichael.

This episode was written by Jake Natureman. Sound design by Ryan Potesta. Our producer is Christopher B. Dunn. Our associate producers and researchers are Sarah Vytak, Teja Palakanda, and Rafa Faria. Fact-checking by Brian Ponant. For Ballin Studios, our head of production is Zach Levitt. Script editing by Scott Allen. Our coordinating producer is Samantha Collins.

This episode was written by Jake Natureman. Sound design by Ryan Potesta. Our producer is Christopher B. Dunn. Our associate producers and researchers are Sarah Vytak, Teja Palakanda, and Rafa Faria. Fact-checking by Brian Ponant. For Ballin Studios, our head of production is Zach Levitt. Script editing by Scott Allen. Our coordinating producer is Samantha Collins.

Production support by Avery Siegel. Produced by me, Luke LaManna. Executive producers are Mr. Ballin and Nick Witters. For Wondery, our head of sound is Marcelino Villapando. Senior producers are Laura Donna Palavoda, Dave Schilling, and Rachel Engelman. Senior managing producer is Nick Ryan. Managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Our executive producers are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Louis.

Production support by Avery Siegel. Produced by me, Luke LaManna. Executive producers are Mr. Ballin and Nick Witters. For Wondery, our head of sound is Marcelino Villapando. Senior producers are Laura Donna Palavoda, Dave Schilling, and Rachel Engelman. Senior managing producer is Nick Ryan. Managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Our executive producers are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Louis.

For Wondery.

For Wondery.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to redacted, declassified mysteries early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. On the morning of August 1, 1985, Vitaly Yurchenko walked out of the Soviet embassy and into the bustling streets of Rome. The blond-haired Russian told his embassy co-workers that he wanted to visit the Vatican Museum. But that was a lie.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to redacted, declassified mysteries early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. On the morning of August 1, 1985, Vitaly Yurchenko walked out of the Soviet embassy and into the bustling streets of Rome. The blond-haired Russian told his embassy co-workers that he wanted to visit the Vatican Museum. But that was a lie.

Instead, he walked in the direction of the American embassy in the Palazzo Margherita. When he reached the ornate three-story building, Yurchenko looked around, wondering if he was being watched. Then he took a deep breath, walked over to a payphone just outside the embassy, and dialed the CIA. An officer picked up. Yurchenko told him two things. First, he said he was a senior officer in the KGB.

Instead, he walked in the direction of the American embassy in the Palazzo Margherita. When he reached the ornate three-story building, Yurchenko looked around, wondering if he was being watched. Then he took a deep breath, walked over to a payphone just outside the embassy, and dialed the CIA. An officer picked up. Yurchenko told him two things. First, he said he was a senior officer in the KGB.

And second, he wanted to defect to America. If the CIA could help him get there, he was willing to spill Soviet secrets. The officer's breath caught in his throat, and Yurchenko smiled. He'd put himself in danger, but he was pretty sure he'd made this agent's day. In the waning years of the Cold War, Yurchenko knew he'd be a hot commodity. The officer told Yurchenko to head into the embassy.

And second, he wanted to defect to America. If the CIA could help him get there, he was willing to spill Soviet secrets. The officer's breath caught in his throat, and Yurchenko smiled. He'd put himself in danger, but he was pretty sure he'd made this agent's day. In the waning years of the Cold War, Yurchenko knew he'd be a hot commodity. The officer told Yurchenko to head into the embassy.

Once he got there, everything happened fast. He was questioned by CIA officers, who immediately wanted to know why he was defecting. Some Soviets switched sides for political reasons. Others were sick of life in Russia and wanted to start over again in America. Most did it for money, since the CIA paid well for KGB intel. Yurchenko didn't fall into any of those categories.

Once he got there, everything happened fast. He was questioned by CIA officers, who immediately wanted to know why he was defecting. Some Soviets switched sides for political reasons. Others were sick of life in Russia and wanted to start over again in America. Most did it for money, since the CIA paid well for KGB intel. Yurchenko didn't fall into any of those categories.

He was defecting for love. He was on the outs with his wife and son and desperate to rekindle a flame with an old mistress who lived in Canada. Moving to America would let him break from his family and start a new chapter with his old girlfriend. Yurchenko was pretty sure the CIA would help him. After all, he was the highest-ranking KGB agent to ever defect.