BLUF

The Petrovs' defection and the intelligence provided to Australia had global impact, exposing international spy networks and shaping Australian politics for decades.

Summary

  1. Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov, Soviet spies, defect in Australia, 1954.
  2. Occurred during the Cold War, espionage was central in the US-Soviet rivalry.
  3. Petrovs, long-term Soviet intelligence agents, faced danger returning home.
  4. ASIO facilitated defection.
  5. Defection contributed to Labor Party split, 1955.

References