Background
Khokhlov, Nikolai was born in 1919.
Khokhlov, Nikolai was born in 1919.
One of the most skilful SMERSH agents of his time. As Oberleutnant Wittgenstein, operated during World War II behind German lines in Minsk, Eastern Poland and Lithuania. In 1953, assigned to kill Igor’ Okolovich, an active member of the NTS (the Russian anti-Soviet emigre organization) whom SMERSH regarded as the brain behind the anti-Soviet propaganda campaign.
But under the influence of his Polish wife, Ianina Timashkewicz, refused to carry out the assassination. On 18 February 1954, told his intended victim about his assignment. After defecting, wrote his memoirs.
The Committee for State Security tried to poison him in Vietnam, but were unsuccessful. Lives in America under an assumed name. His wife and son, however, perished at the hands of SMERSH.