- Viktor Chebrikov
Viktor Mikhailovich Chebrikov (
April 27 1923 -July 2 1999 ) was aSoviet Union spy and head of theKGB from 1982 to 1988. Montgomery, Isobel (July 7, 1999). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,291084,00.html Viktor Chebrikov: KGB chief who favoured modest Soviet reforms.] "The Guardian] "]Born in
Dnepropetrovsk , in easternUkraine , he served inWorld War II afterGermany invaded. Turned down for the military academy after the war, he earned an engineering degree in 1950 and began work at the city's metallurgical plant. That year he joined the Communist Party, and rose the the local ranks until 1967, when he was brought toMoscow as deputy chairman of the KGB underYuri Andropov . They began an anti-corruption drive that continued until Andropov's death. Following a brief period underKonstantin Chernenko , Chebrikov was appointed head of internal security underMikhail Gorbachev .Through information supplied by American spy
Aldrich Ames , Chebrikov was able to dismantle the network ofCIA operatives in his country. He was also responsible in 1983 for ordering the shooting down ofKorean Air Flight 007 .However, the two had differing views regarding reforms, and in October 1988, Chebrikov was replaced by General
Vladimir Kryuchkov (who in 1991 attempted acoup against Gorbachev). Wines, Michael (July 5, 1999). Viktor Chebrikov, 76, Leader Of K.G.B. in Spying Heyday. "New York Times "]###@@@KEY@@@###
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