The rings of security were installed round the three residences where the high-ranking guests stayed
By Nikolay Dolgopolov
The Crimea had just been liberated from the Nazis, and almost immediately, in February 1945, the Yalta Conference was held. Over the war years for the Soviet Union this event was one of the most significant in the political (not military) sense.
Since the “Big Three” had been invited to Yalta, their safety had to be ensured. The USSR had had some experience in this regard. Back in 1943, in Tehran, the leaders of the Allied Powers met for the first time. At that time, Soviet intelligence thwarted Hitler’s plan to destroy Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill in one swift move. The plan, called “Operation Long Jump”, involved German intelligence agents led by Hitler’s favourite, Otto Skorzeny, who intended to kidnap or assassinate the three leaders. However, the German group, which had already parachuted into Tehran, was arrested, and the operation failed.
In Yalta the Soviet party was now the host, bearing a greater responsibility and taking greater risks. Tens of thousands of Soviet soldiers, SMERSH operatives, and thousands of units of military equipment were put on full combat alert.
Meanwhile, fierce combat was continuing on the frontlines. The Crimea was within striking distance of enemy aviation, so it was decided to resort to a radio deception operation with the Germans. By 1945, Soviet counterintelligence had successfully executed many similar operations. One of these was the Yalta one, during which the Germans were allowed to intercept carefully prepared misinformation about the weather. Bogus reports reported of unfavourable flying conditions: poor weather and closed military airfields. The Germans believed it and drastically reduced their flight activity. Within the first few days of the Conference, it became clear that there was no threat of constant bombing any more. The “radio game” was a success.
It was also suspected that small groups of German saboteurs might still be hiding in the Yalta area and across the Crimea, who were often hard to identify. For this reason, four NKVD regiments, made up of specially trained soldiers, were sent to Yalta.
Security for the leaders of the three Allied Powers was provided with utmost care. Fifty experienced officers and as many as 1,200 operatives were assigned to their protection. Additionally, a team of ten motorcyclists was placed at the disposal of these security detachments as an extra precaution.
Special attention was given to Stalin’s safety. His personal security chief, Lieutenant General Nikolay Vlasik, was personally responsible for the Soviet leader’s safety. Vlasik commanded a force of 100 state security officers and 500 of the best, most trusted NKVD soldiers. These forces formed two security rings round the three residences where the high-ranking guests stayed. And that was not all. In the evenings, a third ring was added, consisting of dog units with trained security dogs. Initially, there were concerns that their barking might disturb the Conference participants, but these fears proved unfounded – the dogs were exceptionally disciplined.
Stalin, who disliked flying, arrived in the Crimea by train, which was provided with special security measures. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief stayed at the Yusupov Palace, which had been equipped with a bomb shelter. The shelter, five metres underground, featured two metres of reinforced concrete, one metre of sand, and a total floor area of over sixty square metres. The three-room structure was designed to withstand a direct strike of a bomb of half a tonne.
All roads to Yalta were tightly controlled by 1,800 border guards and internal NKVD troops. Additionally, 783 state security agents and 600 traffic controllers from a specialised road battalion maintained order. Ten interpreters were stationed at checkpoints to facilitate communication with foreign guests.
Fortunately, no major incidents occurred during the Conference. This was no surprise, given the total sweep carried out by security in the towns, villages, ports, and railway stations near Yalta to identify so-called “suspect elements”. Approximately 74,000 individuals were checked, and as noted in recently declassified security reports, 835 of them were arrested.
An Eyewitness Account
I was privileged to meet Intelligence Colonel Yuri Sergeyevich Sokolov, an exceptionally intelligent man who lived a long and eventful life. He shared with me his memories of the Yalta Conference, where he worked as a very young lieutenant.
– I remember early 1945 and the Yalta Conference. I was sent there as a junior operative under the guise of being with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs –first to the press office, and then quickly to the Protocol Department. The destiny of the world was being decided at the Crimea Conference, and we were fully aware of it. We felt our involvement. I won’t intrigue you: I never attended the Conference in Yalta. My work was on-site at the Vorontsov Palace, where the UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill was accommodated. There I met a wide range of people, observing them closely. Naturally, I most often spoke with Britons, though I also had contact with Americans.
– Did you meet Churchill in person?
– Yes, I did. He passed me every day as he entered the palace. My desk was at the entrance, so it was unavoidable. Occasionally, he would make brief, precise requests. Despite being extremely busy, he never forgot to greet me: “How are you, young man? How are things?”
– It doesn’t match the image of the formidable prime minister who would soon deliver his Fulton speech, which, as it is believed here, marked the start of the Cold War.
– But it was a long way from Alupka and the Vorontsov Palace to Fulton. One day Churchill started a conversation about the Conference, the weather, and young people like me who spoke English. He was standing near us and smoking a cigar. I confess I was proud to hear his remarks, especially about young operatives who spoke fluent English. From his appearance alone I could judge how the Conference was going and whether the prime minister was pleased with it. Sometimes he left sessions looking sombre, walking quickly while stooping, giving cold nods and hurrying to his room. But more often he seemed to be in good spirits, which meant the talks were progressing smoothly.
– Is it true that Churchill was always smoking cigars?
– Not always, but very often. He usually entered the palace with a freshly lit cigar. Once he left a cigar in my ashtray. Such souvenirs were valued highly and snatched up instantly.
– Do you still have it in your collection?
– To be honest, I kept that cigar for years, but it’s long gone. So many moves and trips – sadly, it didn’t survive.
– Did Churchill’s entourage suspect about your true role?
– Certainly not. I tried my best to pass for a perfect Protocol worker.
– With no uniform – just dressed in a suit?
– Of course, no uniform. During the Conference I escorted to and from the Vorontsov Palace some high-ranking members of the UK delegation, including Churchill’s daughter Sarah. I also escorted Averell Harriman’s daughter. Harriman, the US Ambassador to the USSR, was very close to Roosevelt, serving as his eyes and ears.
As I escorted Sarah Churchill from Yalta to Alupka, she, being inquisitive, was interested in everything and asked many questions. Well-trained, I answered any questions competently and even received a compliment from Churchill’s daughter. She left an impression of a young-looking, attractive and agreeable lady, free of arrogance. When I was going to meet her, I worried a little, but we were ready to help all the guests and arrange everything quickly.
Operationally, I had hardly any assignments as such. Our focus was on ensuring security and maintaining close contact. Yalta was not the Tehran of 1943, where the Germans headed by Skorzeny had plotted to assassinate the Allied leaders. Still, there was always the risk that some saboteurs might have remained or there might have been acts of negligence. We stayed vigilant.
– Were there any incidents during the Conference?
– Thank goodness, no. Occasionally, members of the UK delegation approached me and wondered if they could have a tour around Alupka. And we always showed them around. Once I even escorted a British general who later expressed his gratitude. But we talked only about local attractions – the Conference itself, which was shaping Europe’s post-war fate and defining Germany’s occupation zones, left everyone exhausted. People welcomed any opportunity to relax, however briefly.
Looking back, I remember that work with great pleasure.
