SECRETARIAT. Creation at Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Special Division No.12 for “special assignments” abroad: diversion, sabotage, assassination. Structure, functions, etc of Special Division [R: 3 September 1953]. 7 pp.

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Top Secret

SPECIAL FILE

CENTRAL COMMITTEE

OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION

RESOLUTION

On the institution of (Special) Department 12 at the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the USSR MVD.

… September 1953

Moscow

The USSR MVD (Comrade Kruglov) shall be tasked with organizing (Special) Department 12 at the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the MVD to carry out acts of sabotage at important military-industrial facilities and communications in the US and Great Britain as the main aggressive states, also in other capitalist countries beings used by the main aggressive states against the USSR.

It shall be deemed expedient to carry out acts of terror[ism] and take active measures in regard to the most active and inveterate enemies of the Soviet Union: figures in capitalist countries, dangerous foreign intelligence officers, heads of anti-Soviet emigre organizations, and traitors to the [Soviet] Motherland.

• It is hereby resolved that all measures taken by USSR MVD [Special] Department 12 shall be subject to consideration and approval by the Presidium [Politburo] of the CPSU Central Committee.
• The regulations and table of organization of (Special) Department 12 at the USSR MVD’s 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate shall be approved

SECRETARY OF THE CPSU CENTRAL COMMITTEE

N. KHRUSHCHOV

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Top Secret

SPECIAL FILE

DRAFT

REGULATIONS [1-12]

Concerning Department 12 at the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate, USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs [MVD]

Department 12 at the USSR MVD’s 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate shall carry out special missions, namely acts of sabotage and terror[ism], in capitalist countries.

[1] All measures taken by Department 12 shall subject to consideration and approval by the CPSU Central Committee.

In view of the special nature of tasks assigned, all work shall be carried out in keeping with the rules of strict secrecy.

In order to have qualified manpower, Department 12 shall have the status of a separate operations directorate of the USSR MVD.

[2] The structure and table of organization of Department 12 shall be approved by a special resolution of the CPSU Central Committee.

Department 12 shall be under the direct command of the Head of the USSR MVD’s 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate.

[3] Department 12 shall be assigned the following tasks:

[3 (a)] Acts of sabotage at strategically important military facilities and communications in the main aggressive states and other capitalist countries being used by the main aggressive states against the USSR.

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2.

[3 (b)] Acts of terror[ism] in regard to the most active, inveterate enemies of the Soviet Union from among capitalist statesmen, especially dangerous foreign intelligence officers, leaders of anti-Soviet emigre organizations, and traitors to the [Soviet] Motherland.

Withdrawal [abduction] and transfer to Soviet territory of persons in case of special necessity.

[3 (c)] Theft and delivery to the USSR of samples of the latest weapons systems and materiel developed in capitalist countries, using bribery and other means in case of necessity.

[4] In order to carry out the above-mentioned tasks, Department 12 shall:

[4 (a)] Detect and investigate military bases, airdromes, seaports, important military-industrial facilities, vulnerable communications, seeking access to these targets and planting agents capable of carrying out acts of sabotage; place under surveillance and secure agents’ access to persons slated for special measures;

[4 (b)] Select and train in the USSR, countries of people’s democracy, and capitalist countries special “illegal” agents [to operate in capitalist countries], from among Soviet nationals and foreigners [provided these individuals] are faithful to the Soviet Union, courageous, resourceful, and have organizing talents;

[4 (c)] Set up clandestine rezidentura [resident spies] and underground groups capable of organizing and carrying out acts of sabotage and terrorism] in capitalist countries;

Establish reliable clandestine rezidentura and spy groups in capitalist countries to conduct active subversive work in the event of hostilities;

[4 (d)] Set up legal covers/fronts for intelligence officers and “illegals” in capitalist countries, in the form of various /…

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businesses, firms, commission and brokerage businesses, boardinghouses, garages, cafes, etc.;

With the aid of pertinent departments of the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the MVD of the USSR, supply the “illegals” with documents necessary for living and traveling abroad;

Secure quick and reliable communications through illicit channels with clandestine rezidenturas and groups of agents, using radio, microphotography, and other technical means;

Provide rezidentura and clandestine groups with the material and technical means required for acts of subversion and sabotage.

Rezidents and groups of agents of Department 12 in capitalist countries shall not have any contacts with local Communist organizations or recruit agents from among Communists.

In order to carry out acts of subversion and terrorism, in case of necessity, Department 12 may use agents run by other departments of the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the USSR MVD, as well as those of the 2nd Chief Directorate of the General Staff of the Soviet Army, in coordination with the leadership of the USSR Ministry of Defense, provided their agents have access to the targets of subversion and terrorism] and can thus expedite or facilitate the fulfillment of these tasks.

Selection and study of military strategic targets of sabotage shall be done in contact with the 2nd Chief Directorate of the General Staff of the Soviet Army.

Department 12 shall use in its work information about military strategic targets in capitalist countries, /…

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possessed by the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the USSR MVD and 2nd Chief Directorate of the General Staff of the Soviet Army.

In order to select [recruit] agents and plant “illegals” in capitalist countries, Department 12 may set up task forces in people’s democratic countries, the People’s Republic of China and German Democratic Republic. In these countries the task forces of Department 12 shall operate under the supervision of senior counselors of the USSR MVD, through whom they will coordinate their actions with the leadership of these countries.

To prepare and train the “illegals,” and agents, the Department may perforce set up secret centers and safe apartments in Moscow and other cities of the Soviet Union, where they will be taught clandestine techniques, marksmanship, sending and receiving radio messages, photography, etc.

The “illegals” and personnel of secret training centers and safe apartments shall be on secret payroll approved by the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Staff members of Department 12 at the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the USSR MVD shall enjoy all the privileges laid down in the Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers that determines [these privileges] for the staff of the 2nd Chief Directorate of the USSR MVD.

Staff members of Department 12 working under cover or on legitimate business trips to capitalist countries shall be subject to … Decree #2599-1076-cc of the USSR Council of Ministers, of … July, 1943, entitled “On Privileges for Staff Members of the Committee on Information at the Council of Ministers of the USSR while Working under Cover Abroad.”

NOTE: The USSR MVD shall be entitled to partially or completely rescind the above-mentioned privileges in regard to staff members failing to show an adequate performance or found to have committed acts tarnishing. the reputation of the Chekist .

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Top Secret

SPECIAL FILE

STRUCTURE

Of Department 12 at the 2nd Chief (Intelligence) Directorate of the USSR MVD

Department 12	Fulfillment of special tasks.
Section 1:	Special missions in the United States.
Section 2:	Special missions in Latin America.
Section 3:	Special missions in the UK, Canada, Union of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Section 4:	Special missions in Finland and Scandinavian countries.
Section 5:	Special mission in France, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland.
Section 6:	Special missions in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia, and Greece.
Section 7	Special missions in Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey.
Section 8	Special missions in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Section 9	Special missions in Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Indochina, and India.
Section 10	Secretariat, logistics, general services

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 Sections 7-10

A. PANIUSHKIN

… September 1953

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NOTES

[Translator’s notes are bracketed]

Translation by George Sklyar, July 2010

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