Confessions of a Russian Spy

“For so many years, two persons were inside of me,” says Deniss Metsavas, a former Russian spy. Here, Metsavas tells his disturbing story of espionage, blackmail, and double identity for the very first time. Read more: www.theatlantic.com/video/ind...
Author: Daniel Lombroso
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[@TheAtlantic]

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[@kizahi3075]

this guy looks like a cross between Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin

[@itsonlyacommentsnowflake3346]

2:26 i agree, was thinking the same thing lol

[@goyan4759]

Hybrid elonimir mutin

[@LostFelidae]

Aw... Thanks, That’s it! I was just thinking why he’s familiar in a strange way...

[@madlad2819]

He sounds like he does, too!

[@samsonbreitbart]

for so many years there were two persons inside of me

[@Nuh-zd5py]

If this guy “kills him self” just know that he got assassinated

[@wompwomp9904]

You spelt accidental radiation poisoning wrong.

[@rachelslur8729]

You spelled accidentaly rammed by a truck and then accidentally puched in the head wrong.

[@rachelslur8729]

@Ray Vorontsoff them too

[@adem_gun]

Thanks genius.

[@rachelslur8729]

@@wompwomp9904 You spelled suiсidе my by а airdroped guided missile wrong.

[@johnkosterimages]

He looked anxious AF during all those TV appearances

[@onlyeveryone2253]

That was before Russia too

[@tacowilco7515]

It is really awkward to give an interview after he raped and choked that hooker to death.

[@eirin099]

telling the world about how you were recruited by russia as a spy is sketchy so it makes snse

[@davidhollenshead4892]

@@tacowilco7515 Hows the weather in Moscow, Ivan ?????

[@tacowilco7515]

@@davidhollenshead4892 I don't know David, how is Hellen's head doing? Is she still giving a head?

[@izzhipp4971]

So he got caught with a honeypot ..... The girl hooked him and that video was made. THAT is how they got him and threatened him/blackmailed him. Now you know How they get people. Oldest trick in the book.

[@1943rfagan]

@Walkin' Tall Oh sure and when it comes to money women are- WEAK and will even sell their bodies for sex with their tiny brain 😏.

[@ghostnoodle9721]

@@1943rfagan Well ye, you cant catch a fly with salt can ya?

[@lexiforbes5983]

Oldest trick in the book cuz Russians crazy government threatens the girl with something horrific if she doesn't agree to frame him, and some men would rather b considered treasonous than a rapist. Probably thought that he could give them some little meaningless intelligence until they wouldn't let him anymore. Of course they want into on NATO and US, we probably have to change some defense strategies now in case they invade the baltics. Wonder if they so desperately recruited China to show force with more men on the ground for this. Well I am happy, and hope that all relations continue to prosler, that most of the world has come together to say no to tyrants. And that the countries that haven't joined us yet, do. Also wonder how this guy would live in Estonia for soo long and not learn the language lol crazy

[@izzhipp4971]

Human nature. Stop fighting over who's fault it is....it just is. You have to make good decisions. Taking a girl home from a bar...or going home with a guy from a bar that you JUST met is NOT a smart thing to do in any circumstance.

[@Macatho]

@Walkin' Tall So are women my friend.

[@Gilgaemesh]

Should told Estonia and became a double agent.

[@ghostnoodle9721]

@@Wigglez69 It was treason either way

[@JS-xd3iy]

@@ghostnoodle9721 It's not treason if you work against the country (Russia) you are supposed to be spying for. There were Nazi agents that ended up giving fake info about the British back to the Nazis.

[@printedwit]

i agree with your opinion. hypothetically, there could have been someone in estonian intelligence smart enough, early on enough to help deniss into a career position to hope to tempt russia to tag deniss as a target, knowing about his existing ties to russia and his "poster boy" estonian integration qualities. then, estonian intelligence could keep an eye on him for a number of years, and eventually arrest him and have him give up potentially valuable information on his interactions with russian POCs in exchange for a lighter prison sentence. frankly, i think russia made a mistake in choosing this guy - his media presence makes him a bit obvious. but maybe deniss never got his hands on any valuable information from russia. maybe this was just a short game and stalemate between the countries and some poor sap was caught between them.

[@arabhero10]

WigglezUK it’s not treason. If you tell your home state that you’ve been compromised by another, they will tell you what to do. Granted, you run the risk that your own country would kill or disown you, but still, it’s not technically treason.

[@herahagstoz6934]

Yikes. Obviously they did this to Trump and he lives far away in America, this guy lives right next door. Imagine how many more trapped people are spying for the Russian government all over.

[@theduke6174]

Lesson learned from this, never do one-night stands.

[@konfunable]

In Russia.

[@MakerInMotion]

@@konfunable I'm sure honey traps are a common strategy among all intelligence agencies. Germany used to do it by sending hunks to bang the secretaries of Soviet diplomats during the cold war. They called them "Romeos". The only people who don't need to worry about being a target is those with no access to valuable information.

[@alekseysoldatenkov5675]

Especially with chicks that seem out of your league, I bet she was at least a 9.

[@MakerInMotion]

@@alekseysoldatenkov5675 For sure. In Russia a 9 or 10 is a common thing. There's a lot less fatties.

[@aenorist2431]

Never go to a criminal state like russia.

[@dfredericks86]

Poor bastard - he should have approached Estonian Intelligence the minute he got back home, demanded to live in a safehouse etc. Agreeing to act as an informant in any capacity - ESPECIALLY to Russia is unsustainable to even the most casual observer. No one matters to Russia.

[@dfredericks86]

@Ray Vorontsoff wow, tough guy. Good to see the ACKSHUALLY crowd reporting in. This is what happens when your dad pissing in a woman results in your conception... No shit there are others that are just as brutal namely US, Israeli and Iranian to name a few. But what is beyond doubt is Russia's infamy for the brutality, aggressiveness and audaciousness of their clandestine ops. They are now famous for their vindictiveness and propensity to dish out particularly painful deaths to those that embarrass or oppose them. When you casually dish out polonium to your most hated enemies on foreign soil, yeah, you tend to get a name for yourself. Now do all you keyboard warrior spy wannabe's wanna chill the fuck out? Mentioning one is not to discount others, Russian intelligence was the subject of the vid. The 'what-aboutisms' could go forever. Chances are your 'insight' isn't as revelatory as you think.

[@shatteredstar2149]

@@dfredericks86 butthurt much?

[@dfredericks86]

@@shatteredstar2149 the internet olympics of being 'so totally disaffected'/not triggered means nothing to me as that dynamic is, in itself, a dead meme at this point. I'll say what I want to say.

[@shatteredstar2149]

@@dfredericks86 no meme is truly dead my son 🐸👌

[@dfredericks86]

@@shatteredstar2149 hahahaha. Then you fell for me trap card...i bring you.....Ugandan Knuckles my brudda

[@seyedhosseini7447]

When he starts talking about his son that has to grow up without him you then see what a real man is made of from the inside. This story is so important so thank you for making this.

[@engr.nnoromokechukwuchukwu7369]

absolutely....he will just too intimidated to face the actual reality of living without his son?

[@michaelshannon6134]

Real men don't betray their country for no good reason. He betrayed his wife and son as well when he betrays Estonia. Crocodile tears.

[@advocacynaccountablity]

Agreed with Seyed.

[@PythiaHiereia]

Don't go to Russia, y'all.

[@sovietheart3883]

He is a looser,a liar and against his own country

[@andariel125]

What I don'r understand is why upon his return to Estonia he told nobody about this and then even started accepting money for passing classified information. I don't buy his explanation tbh, as an officer he had to know how to act correctly in such situations.

[@tbz1551]

You answered your own question in the second part of your first sentence. $$$

[@ghostid544]

His family was Russian and if they're willing to set up and accuse an innocent person of rape they would quite happily do the same or worse to his family that they have full access too unlike him who was only there shortly. I still understand your skepticism and agree with you for most parts but just offering one reason that might have been a factor in his reasoning.

[@michelbraun4858]

Well it is an complex situation and we do not know his social situation back then. You do not know as well where the rest of his family lives. Lets not forget as well he never talked about how he views Russia. There are so many factors that play a role for his choices. My Familie did live in East Germany and what some of them experienced you would as well not believe it but the situations always complicate it so it is very easy to make mistakes that that let you sink deeper.

[@Greasyspleen]

Would have looked very suspicious to the Russians if he refused the money.

[@crismeman3386]

The answer to your question was in the introduction of the Documentary title. " The Making of a Double Spy".. he is an Estonian Spy first before becoming Russian Agent.

[@admagnificat]

This was an absolutely compelling, and very important, video. To everybody at The Atlantic who was involved in producing it, thank you for sharing it with the world.

[@ladyblazette]

15 years doesn’t sound too bad compared to Novichok... Estonia handled his punishment humanely. The same cannot be said for Russia. He is a young man, he can do his time and have a life when he gets out, as opposed to suffering the most torturous, painful death. Excellent short doc., this channel produces some of the best I’ve seen on YT in terms of production and topic.

[@sophroniel]

I am hoping they keep his wife and child safe too :(

[@williambrown6889]

50

[@stevesilva2780]

He's lucky he wasn't shot. In the U.S. the penalty for treason can be death. In time of war, it _is_ death.

[@Silver_Prussian]

You are a spy you job is to be inhumane dont expect any good treatment

[@madpoetsociety2917]

@@williambrown6889 15. Turn on the subtitles. He said 15.

[@Whosetheworst]

Another victim of the classic Russian honey trap, poor guy.

[@GreedPainLove]

KGB is still KGB even though they changed their name

[@lucasgrey9794]

@@GreedPainLove The Honey trap is NOT unique to the KGB. You can go back thousands of years and see examples of Honey traps.

[@ijustchangedmyname7794]

2:57 His eyes tell that everything inside isn’t right

[@mollyrazormillions]

Also 03:14 bottom images. Interesting what would a psychiatrist say about this mental state? Caused by what?

[@MrTerribleLie]

@@mollyrazormillions Look at the eyes of former soldiers with PTSD. He has the same gaze.

[@rashad123us]

15 years is not bad for treason.

[@lexiforbes5983]

Yeah, I think they heard him and his Dad out and realized they were scared for their life if they didnt. But he gave some at least, sensitive info and that is not acceptable. Should have told Estonia right away, baltics have been used to these Russian tactics for a long time now.

[@PepinsSpot]

Not bad at all! In the USA they would at least rot in jail at most the death penalty.

[@ghostwilliams4419]

@@lexiforbes5983 For a reason may i add! Nato is surrounding Russia with rockets

[@kxmode]

Unfortunately he won't make it to 15 years. An accident will happen to him in prison... just wait.

[@DLTD]

Rashad let’s see what trump gets... 😂

[@concreteknowledge3168]

Welp guess who’s getting a good old cup of polonium tea

[@eyeLikeCarrots]

@Fuert Neigt Every country works to obtain intelligence assets, this is nothing specific about Russia.

[@alarpahn6992]

I am Estonian and i can say that it’s 10000% real

[@alwayswonderingwhy4317]

Fuert Neigt Like no country in the world has spies...

[@orestmakar8562]

Stefan J Well if it wasn’t for NATO Russia would tattack Lithunania, Latvia and Estonia. The only reason Russia flexed it’s muscles in Ukraine and Gheorgia is because those countries are not NATO members. They should join as soom as possible because fear and brute force are the only languagee Putin understands. Russia is hostile towards all its neighbours. How about Putin stays the fuck away from neighbouring independat countries.

[@RayD_Official]

Dude: „I didn’t want to go to prison for 10 to 15 years in Russia it would ruin my life“ *goes to prison 15 years and life is still ruined*

[@mishaazaranka5961]

I think what he meant is that he knew what Russia really is from the view from his family that lived there. And being Russian myself I could tell you that he would not have a great time in there for 10-15 years since refusing to work for the intelligence and he could be blamed for being a foreign military personnel entering the country illegally he would be sent to the worst prison out there. At least Estonian prison isn’t as bad as the Russian one.

[@raitonrait]

@@mishaazaranka5961 hes a joke, hes traitor.

[@mishaazaranka5961]

@@raitonrait I agree with you he’s a traitor and he deserves the punishment he got I mean 10 years isn’t that bad all I’m saying is if he was arrested in Russia according to his story the consequences would’ve been a lot worse for him. Just saying 🤷

[@zafar13]

The million dollar question is who rat him out ? 🧐

[@fuentinho416]

Rat? I'm sure 10 years of leaked intel raised some suspicion of a mole within the Estonian Army, Was only a matter of connecting the dots.

[@FVBmovies]

@@fuentinho416 Exactly. Could've gotten laced information (bait), the one which get you caught.

[@Trollportphosphat]

@@FVBmovies but even so they somehow need to get to know that russian knows that information as well. i don´t think he just stole original documents instead of copying them

[@Trollportphosphat]

@@fuentinho416 but somehow they need to get to know that russia knows all that intel.

[@judgedbytime]

when they knew he wanted out, they used his capture as collateral

[@FirstnameLastname-hq5rd]

"disappointment will be a very gentle word for that" Oh man, who's cutting onions in here, the end was heartbreaking. I hope when his son watches this interview in a few years, he has sympathy for his father's position.

[@willevensen7130]

His fathers a traitor and deserves no sympathy

[@VajrahahaShunyata]

Will Everson Yep He could have gone straight to his command and reported the whole incident. But his family in russia would suffer. Unless he did a double double agent thingy until he could get his family out. But this is alot of ifs.. He cose in the end to serve russia and not the culture that embraced him. Promoting him. Giving him a good life. Embracing him into their culture. He is a traitor.

[@Travellingisagift]

I would rather say that I hope his son will forgive his father. For sure the child and mother is suffering a lot of discrimination because of this man's treason. They will not have a normal life.

[@thelorelei1884]

@Vajrahaha Shunyata It's not so easy to refuse Russia when they want you to do something. Even if he did go to Estonian authorities, Russia would have found him and probably killed him, and quite possibly his family. Putin and the Russian government are brutal people. You do what they want or you pay the consequences.

[@frenstcht]

Commanding Officer: "I hope you had a good vacation. Why did you need to see me?" D. Metsavas: "Mostly good, except the Russians are trying to blackmail me into being a spy." CO: "Outstanding! Want to be a double agent?"

[@frenstcht]

@Joe Al Laughed out loud. Thanks! I needed that ^_^

[@mikeblair2594]

Absolutely! He obviously didn't think and he got his father in to it too. I've very little sympathy for traitors. Fell for a honeypot, he should have known better.

[@frenstcht]

@@mikeblair2594 And he fell for it bassackwards, which is even worse. He had no emotional commitment to be exploited; it was just a ham-fisted extortion scheme. Now I'm wondering if he _did_ rape her, because it's so hard to imagine an innocent person not just going to the C.O. and pleading for help.

[@itsmodelotimefoo445]

Obviously nobody forced him to cooperate. While in Estonia he could of easily reported what happened.

[@jeffhallam2004]

He looks terrified because he knows he will be murdered by Russia. He was shaking during the interview...

[@SojuNinja]

Or it was cold AF.

[@RolandKontson]

He broke emotionally down over the question of disappointment of his family.

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

@@SojuNinja It's not cold in Estonia right now. It's summer. The guy is ashamed of himself, and rightfully so.

[@SojuNinja]

@@Thor.Jorgensen Well, thanks for letting me know. I honestly thought he was cold because by the way his clothes swayed, I figured there was a fan in there or something. No sarcasm.

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

@@SojuNinja If they have a fan in there or something, it's because it's summer and it's hot. It's been nearly 30°C recently.

[@Duppy3737]

Estonia gave him a good life, trust and respect, he should have let Estonian authorities know what Russia had requested of him , got his parents out of Russia I'm sure Estonia would have helped . His loyalty should have been with the country that gave him a good life and career. From day one he should have informed Estonian authorities he could have trusted them definitely not Russia.

[@Silver_Prussian]

Uhhh muh estonia yeah there are things they do that aint so good

[@mellhurstg4148]

Russia is a sadistic killer.

[@ayooo9770]

Feel bad for him. Everyone saying he should have just told Estonia doesn't realize Russia might have found out and kill anyone close to him. It's a tough situation to be in

[@KewwAlbion]

We´ve got instructions since day one what to do in situation like this, he just freaked out and kept digging bigger hole to himself by sending information to them, his rank is Major, I dont understand how he fell for such cheap scam, this reason i stopped visiting Russia cause once you in army means automatically enemy for Russia.

[@tylerbozinovski4624]

I'd rather risk losing my family or risk being imprisoned than be a spy for a foreign intelligence agency.

[@ayooo9770]

@@tylerbozinovski4624 wow, I honestly put not killing family and self over the feeling of loyalty to a government, but to each his own.

[@tylerbozinovski4624]

@@ayooo9770 I guess you've got to be ruthless to an extent to fight against ruthlessness, am I right?

[@rapator9270]

@@tylerbozinovski4624 Its not about war, its about humanity! Western people are rules of world because they have brains. Russia just digging his hole slowly acting like this. Its all about freedom not politics what feeds nation!

[@PepinsSpot]

Why didn't he tell his superiors in Estonia what had happened? Unless he was a willing participant. That would explain why he didn't tell anyone when he arrived to Estonia.

[@dragenmaster5385]

he had relatives in russia, russians would kill them if they find out he told about everything to estonia

[@viktor_vaughn]

Tell that to Litvinenko

[@Jardhundur]

@@dragenmaster5385 This is not a movie, that would not happen.

[@dragenmaster5385]

@@Jardhundur spy movies are inspired by real life events lol?

[@yazzyyazyaz]

@@Jardhundur read up on it, it's exactly what happens

[@Infographiste]

Man, his finishing part is heartbreaking man. Next question please.

[@turntablez504]

why is everyone feeling sorry for him? he committed an atrocious crime, 15 years is not enough. I don't care if he felt cornered or scared, he should've told his employer immediately on his return to estonia. he put over a million people's freedom and safety at risk. what he did was incredibly selfish and evil.

[@DARDA360]

He talks about his little son and looks like an angel. He was on a path leading to a sacrifice of thousands Estonian sons...

[@crosisofborg5524]

There is no excuse for treason.

[@kirasussane1556]

So he was threatened with going to jail if he didn't cooperated? It was a bad idea for hin to go to Russia he was a know Estonian soldier obviously they would find him.

[@bigdikdude4207]

This is why Russian officers are not allowed to travel anywhere outside of Russia for personal reasons. And if my memory serves me right even after quiting youre still not allowed to go overseas for another 5-10 years . Poor bloke. Hope everything will turn out well for him in the end

[@bigdikdude4207]

Dont think regular soldier or policeman would poses an information worthy enough of recruitment (no offence to a regular soldier or policeman. Just an observation)

[@rapator9270]

I wonder that ordinary persons are allowed to travel from Russia :D

[@Leo-pd2dq]

Rapator Rapator obviously they are allowed to travel you massive imbecile, there’s no way you don’t know this. What is the point in making such a dumb comment that only makes you look like an ignorant?

[@LancesArmorStriking]

They're smart about it, I see. But sometimes even soldiers are human, and want to visit their family in another country. What then? Does Russia pay for the family to come to Russia and visit?

[@peterrees6346]

Another great story from the Atlantic. Please keep these stories coming.

[@jojoslasthamon5120]

Peter Rees Oh, they will. As long as their imagination allows.

[@mlhardin1822]

This was an interesting interview. Powerful. Thank you.

[@mobilechief]

A hard example of why you can not trust anyone

[@Jason-un9ps]

9:13 Dayumnnn! Of ALL the questions he could have been asked… Imagine how hard his heart was thumping 🤣😂

[@KewwAlbion]

Randomly klicked on video and shocked first minute, wasnt expecting video on my country, served also in Estonian Defence Force

[@kuwait85]

Excellent work Atlantic

[@mohamedm2518]

The clock shows that the video is not in chronological order. At least edit out the clock.

[@jessicacole8404]

*I hope this proves to be a deterrent from reason. As soon as In Estonia, they would have protected someone as important as him. He did something terrible, but I feel sorry for him. Never trust enemies, because an enemy will leave you do your own defenses if you have no purpose for them anymore*

[@tricknee253]

Damn, that was intense.

[@justinpharand8454]

I was hoping they would get into the details of espionage but NOPE

[@YourLocalLeadFarmer]

Kinda reminds me of the girl I met in College who was from Russia. I was studying Homeland Security and Emergency services and we decided to study together a little bit. Things went pretty well for about a year or so, then I was being questioned and harassed about who she was and I didn't tell them a damn thing. Later found out she worked for the SVR and felt very betrayed and used. I'm now using my time to discover answers of my own.

[@slickrick2420]

What country you from?

[@officially-ROB]

Didn't happen for $200 please

[@tutsecret499]

When you work for some "special areas" of the government, you are being watched, who you are going out with, they watch your home, everything inside. They watch every single steps, can't blame them. I know one guy that does a very risky job to turn off bombs. The FBI always having eyes on him, watches his home, the women he goes out with. But I don't know why he is watched because his job is going to places where the bomb is about to explode and he is there to turn it off. I just think that everybody needs to watched specially at work, where a lot bad things happens, bully workers, corrupted, jerks, etc. Watching you catch the predators. Doing that employers prevent liabilities because of jerk employee with misconduct. Caracter , common sense, good judgment is everything in this life.

[@user-he2gv7hc7n]

У этого "национального героя" всегда был выбор. Его просчитали и предложили то, от чего он не смог отказаться. Теперь его используют в образе жертвы спецслужб России ваши СМИ. Выжимают всё, что ещё можно с него поиметь, (как это дешёвое видео). Так же существует вероятность конца этой истории, (ликвидация и обвинение России). Сценарий проверенный, зачем выдумывать что-то ещё? У Дениса и всегда был выбор, но он выбирает, то что ему подсказывает его разум и дух. Дух и разум, которые в него заложили в "независимой Эстонии" Или кто-то считает по другому?

[@Kapchar]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIHRp6ume9-gY6M

[@mohamedm2518]

Reason Russians waited for a year to re-establish connection was to see whether he would have reported the incident to the authorities. He should notified the authorities when he returned and when they contacted him a year later. Although I believe notifying the authorities after returning from Russia would have prevented this whole ordeal, and he would be a hero.

[@flashbeaster]

sentence of rape and extradiction into a foreign country for trial and sentence. If not, international incident and one more case of Russian victimisation.

[@MrRW1980]

how did he communicate? the old way via shortwave radio or was it never published? very good video !!!

[@kgain673111]

Good lord I hope this guy is still alive after giving this interview.

[@mariopensotti1015]

Moral of the Story . If youre a top NATO person, dont go to Russia for a holiday

[@KyleInOklahoma]

*_Many soldiers return from Russia & tell their superiors of this sort of thing every year. He knew this. Many of them reported this to him & he would kick it up the chain of command & forget about it. It happens-No foul. Why he did not do the same as they are told to go along with it while in Russia & report it when home. There are contingency plans for this type of action in all military around the world_*

[@marcopolo6944]

The pain in his voice and on his face at around 13:23 . "Disappointment is a gentle word". The closest to tears that this poor man came. Just a sad, ruthless story all around

[@3-dhistory495]

He is of Greek origin from the Russian empire who over time became a "Russian." So there were once before 1991-92, a lot of Greeks in the USSR. Metsavas is a Greek surname. Don't forget the Pontic Greeks of the Caucasus, Dagestan and Ukraine.

[@silvioferreira9504]

His eyes open like that (in the years before and after arrest) seem forced. It is very strange and should have made people uneasy...

[@williamwaite3989]

Feel bad for him, having been coersed into events far out of his control, and loosing valuable time with his wife and son. Somewhere in Estonia there is a young boy growing up without a father because of events he will never truly understand. it's so sad.

[@mikeblair2594]

He could have gone to his superiors and told them and been a hero. But he didn't think, so he's where he belongs. He's a traitor!

[@kashmirha]

100% he was warned in the military for this type of situation. A russian living in Estonia, who visit russia...

[@tadasblindavicius8889]

This is what happens where you grow up in russian influence zone. I have nothing against russian-speakers here in Lithuania but I have to say that they are people with different views. The vast majority of those glorifies the Russian invasive regime and stuff and are against the NATO and all Western society simultaneously. These people live in their minds apart from the rest of society and kinda nostalgia to former USSR. Basically, they live here with their hostile views next to us.

[@relarras]

Agreed.

[@kelsypena9478]

This just made me so sad , this can happen to anyone

[@popeye8502]

10:40 hes shaking so hard, poor guy

[@Munklers]

I feel sorry for the man. He was threatened and blackmailed by a powerful state. There but for the Grace of God go I.

[@mellhurstg4148]

Don’t work for the enemy and trust the good guys to extract your family, or fail and know everyone did their best.

[@MarkMash17]

Right after the first encounter he should've had a hidden recorder on him 24/7

[@tylerbozinovski427]

I'd just pretend to agree with them until I leave Russia, and then I'd approach the Estonian police.

[@SS-ug1qy]

Russians honeypotted him. 😁 It could also be that he was with Russians from the beginning.

[@rezaadel4203]

Would it be hard to imagine that GRU used the same sort of tactics to entrap US citizens? I don't think so. Who remembers the Ritz Carlton Moscow?!!!

[@mikeblair2594]

They've done exactly that to American citizens. A honeypot trap is one of Russias most common traps. Just don't think with your dick.

[@pamelahomeyer748]

Commits a crime and then pouts about having to pay the price. LOL did he think he was going to be 007

[@MiguelGonzalez-mc9zd]

Dude said he had 2 persons inside of him. Wow.

[@Anon-]

Yeah, especially being so high up in rank, he should have explained the situation to Estonian Intelligence Services when he got back EXACTLY what happened. Perfect opportunity to feed information to your enemy that you WANT them to know. Just my opinion, from my armchair.

[@KeyserSozex]

They were watching him obviously. He would have to been as secretive about his communication w Estonian intelligence, as he was in his spy role.

[@mikeblair2594]

@@KeyserSozex So? Be careful. He has superiors who have offices and I believe that they have doors in Estonia, so it could have been a private discussion.

[@astyanax905]

He doesn't blame Russia? Sheesh... I know I would

[@jazzman5115]

If he'd blame them his chance of a good life after he leaves prison would be effectively zero.

[@romanreigns1p4pking55]

ADAM COLE BAYBAY!

[@arijao92]

We who live next to them know that this is just what they do, have always done and will do in the future, he should blame himself for being a traitor to his country

[@chrisbrent7487]

Really he should have just informed his superiors that the SVR or FSB had attempted to recruit him as soon as he returned to Estonia.

[@MR-od1bv]

Sad story, specially when he talks about his kid.

[@kaizenmckenzie4782]

Who's here cause of Philip Estonia version of Elon Musk

[@Yazevo]

bro, put in his last name LOL

[@StrangeLoops4]

Who this Philip guy?

[@phdtobe]

In the US, getting caught spying like that would probably result in a life sentence. He got off light.

[@longtallsally4493]

Trump has committed treason and is still walking around

[@johnbell4328]

He should have reported it as soon as he returned to Estonia.

[@2531Prasad]

I think governments should give special security to such people to come out and say they are threatened by some spies.

[@swoodc]

12:18 whos 0887 ???

[@jeffreymoran6234]

Why didn't you just tell the KGB yes you will work with them, get back to Estonia and tell them the KGB tried too set you up, unless he wanted to be a double agent.

[@angelastephens8526]

One must always know whom is they company they are keeping and why they are keeping it. Not everyone has a bar and not everyone actually looks deeper than the surface, as they should. In plain English, not everyone has a heart and that will be the determination in a good spy and a criminal. Loyalty to one’s country is important and if lines become blurred they will typically remove the asset from the case immediately and bring in a replacement. The problem is when their is unfinished business, or loose strings left untied. In one case, it was their children that were left behind and those that knew perished without warning and what truly was in an instant. Exchanges did take place and they have spent the last fifteen years attempting to cleanup what they did and they know it. Whom is they? A good question but a question that cannot be answered because they are the biggest threat at the moment. You never leave the children behind and replace them without expecting this current day events and all involved know it.

[@crosisofborg5524]

There is no quitting. Once you’re in, you’re in to stay.

[@saintmaurice9967]

6:48 System rebooting in progress.

[@paolabueso]

I truly hope he is somehow able to rebuild his life in peace and reconnect with his family as soon as possible. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@bbjdutch]

He was a good officer and a good citizen, really? I don't understand how he is able to think that way. He is a traitor, also to his family. His son has to grow up without him, with the shame on his shoulders.

[@storyofeverything552]

Anyone notice that clock behind. Some time its 12 some time its 2:30 , some time its 5:40. This 15 is nothing there is a lot behind the curtain.

[@siegebug]

The blackmailing he described in his story sounds similar to what the Chinese spy does in Taiwan.

[@blairbushproject]

Luo Hung Chun here too in us.

[@CalebHeins]

They're close allies. Makes sense

[@PRSA1212]

Wouldn't be surprised if USA, Taiwan, Japan all use similar techniques too..

[@nlabanok]

Lesson: when in Russia, if it seems too good to be true (like an unusually hot Russian girl that for some reason just can't get enough of you), it is. Have the humility to recognize it is probably too good to be true.

[@DPRK_CCP]

9 years left. 😢 please release him

[@stevehays6403]

Would be curious to find out how he was caught and if a informer was used and if that informer is part of a agency that now would have cred and could be a plant. Would be a genius move to burn a hostile about to crack forced spy to enhance status of a mole or plant. Not far fetched and the game is played just like that. A lot of 4 and 5 D chess

[@shahrour9]

Was his father spying for them before they recruited him?

[@manuellubian5709]

Now, there's a thought.

[@readmore8740]

Anyone curious how this may happen should watch "The Falcon and the Snowman."

[@mukbang2134]

What that is🤔

[@allowmi]

He should have confessed to the Estonians at his first opportunity. At that juncture he would have been in the clear. They would have worked something out. I've been watching 1420 on KZbin and the Russians are a likeable people and we share many of the same values. That said, the most troubling thing for me is the assessed value of deceit in their culture seems a little high, if not celebrated in some corners. Years ago I had an experience with the Roma (AKA Gypsies) while in Rome. Just a little misunderstanding about the contents of my wallet. As it was just kids, it amounted to nothing - but I still remember them for that more than anything else. And if all you know about a group of people is their most negative values, it sticks.

[@filip.v]

Russia sees neighbors as enemies? xD Might have gotten that a bit backwards.

[@sunnylilme]

Wow. I really feel terrible for this guy. Putin is a manipulative, intelligent strategist. Trump unarmed man coming to a dual with Putin.. I CRINGE at the lopsided balance of abilities.

[@JK-vc7ie]

sunnylilme You mean Obama, right?

[@alekseysoldatenkov5675]

I'm so fucking grateful I made it across The Pond before I formed my first memory. I wish the best for him and his family in the long term.

[@aa898246]

ФСБ

[@alekseysoldatenkov5675]

IEMK I so scare, foreign ИSA шant to шaste very limit resource to pеиеtrate my sнeiт!

[@user-ro3qu3bx9f]

Anyone in this situation, speak to your superior officer and have a fake arrest organized, so then there is much less chance of retaliatory action against you and your loved ones.

[@IvanAkinfiev]

I have the feeling that this is exactly what happened

[@norbertkimar4698]

Even if the person is not agent etc just a simple civil person can report these things.. - I'm persecuted Hungarian (EU) and my enemies slowly tried to fool me to join CIA, like they were recruit me, meanwhile I wasn't even in near to USA.. It was strange from beginning, but in the end when I found them in a sensitive point then I went home and reported everything to CIA on its web page from Hungary.. It was years ago and was over and never happened again.. Literally worth to report it.. Persecution against me is strange also, ex-KGB (mostly Hungarian ex-commie agents and their relatives etc) have benefit from it. And I tried to get help from some of the not former commie EU countries but they all rejected to help me.. And since last year I started to protest next to Russian/ Swedish embassies but Russians had no problem to talk with me even in first moment..

[@eugenbutacu81]

15 years 4 a 😻.?

[@malitiemmanuel1321]

This ish happens a lot. I for one am multi national. South Africa-Uganda. Am worried about the same situation because my Dad always tells me to go to R.S.A. But such things happen because u are an asset that can penetrate the target country. This is what has been happening with Rwandese living in Uganda. They were made assets. Repercussions are devastating. Solution. Avoid visiting such stronger countries. I for one I don`t think I will ever visit South Africa, my attempt made me give in to much information that it just felt so wrong. The very information you give is Used against you. Setting you up etc. Sorry, the World isn`t a all that of a good place. All powerful countries do this, I don`t know why Russia is the most implicated most times. This tack-tick is actually for C.I.A

[@aa898246]

ZULUL

[@malitiemmanuel1321]

@@aa898246 Xhosa

[@purplefabian]

@@aa898246 go to South Africa dude.. chill and take off your tin foil hat, its not like your a james bond and they are waiting for you

[@aa898246]

@@purplefabian what are you talking about

[@purplefabian]

@@aa898246 what are YOU talking about?! This guy thinks if he steps foot in south Africa he's going to get recruited to work as a spy

[@raverkidloki]

Can someone find me the clip that's at 1:45

[@Okay-vz3qw]

It's Me weirdo

[@raverkidloki]

@@Okay-vz3qw how am I wierd?

[@user-bfg9000]

It’s from the Estonian 1993 military parade. Last part of the parade, actually.

[@andyharpist2938]

There were two people in every citizen in the old USSR..one believing the party line and the other thinking quite the opposite. It is entirely possible to hold two contradictory sets of beliefs.

[@IsandJako]

seeing how easily he got hooked into a situation what he cannot escape, makes you scared of every action you do in adulthood that seem normal but get you into a terrible situation like this

[@zlonewolf]

Its not even that bad. He got out of one jail sentence and into another. Plus he was a Russian Citizen before becoming Estonian. He chose between being blackmailed and being a spy. Plus his dad is in on it. This guy feared for his safety but now his life is even in more danger now that he revealed Russian intel to Estonia that Russia is spying on them and targetting Estonia as the next colonial empire target.

[@litostakkz1879]

😂 what... you need to live in a bubble then fam, no one's gonna set you up up you're just some John doe. You will be ok

[@ChrisHanline]

"For so many years, two persons were inside of me." Look dude, you can do whatever you want behind closed doors. We don't need to hear about it.

[@llamaliammm]

That v fucked up of u to say that.

[@nemanjastankovic7200]

Bipolar or hard torture ,,, Or both.

[@MusicAusUS]

Dam, he betrayed the trust like that.

[@peterbeyer5755]

In his army training, he was a major, he would have been told the Russian Intelligence Service and other criminals are actively attempting to blackmail soldiers into handing weapons, cash and information over. The training would have covered similar scenario’s and how to handle them. It beggars belief that he kept all this to himself. The Estonian Army knows no one is perfect and everyone has faults and they could have used his recruitment by Russians to Estonias and NATO’s advantage, what an absolute waste of a counter intelligence opportunity and this persons life.

[@infinitypoker6383]

Wow this guy was very human I feel bad for him couldn’t he have told someone tho

[@ictoan5966]

Tell who? There was no escape

[@OzzieOzzieOzzieOyOyOy]

I feel sorry for him. He was caught in a typical honeypot. Such a shame his sons will be without a father for 15 years, and his wife without a husband. His father will probably die in prison. What I will say is this: Mate, be careful of what you say now. Remember Alexander Litvinenko.

[@ghostnoodle9721]

His wife didnt have a husband if he was cheating. The odds of the first girl he cheats with, is a russian honeypot, is very low. Russians are very good at collecting information. They knew he was a cheat, and exploited it.

[@lexiforbes5983]

So what if he was a little bit promiscuous Before he was married. And yes, kgb, or whatever their name is now, exploits everything they can on everyone for anything they can get out of it. Disgusting.

[@freemusic3206]

@@ghostnoodle9721 it was before marriage dumbass

[@OzzieOzzieOzzieOyOyOy]

I don’t have a problem with Jews. You can’t choose your parents. Totally different to Zionists.

[@cmdrriotz5283]

Not sure why this doesn't have more views.

[@seekgodinprayeraskjesuschr4687]

I think it's ironic that they asked him about a loyalty test one thing they should do and they trained soldiers no matter what country is turn them on entrapment, honey pots, and all forms of blackmail. Inclusive resort not to go look for a Russian girl when you can find one in your own country he was the perfect prize for them falling right into their trap or pot of honey in this Chase

[@yellowbeans01]

If that shit happened in another country and they tried to blackmail me, I'd play along and get home as fast as possible. He fucked up by going for it when they came to him in Estonia. It also shows how much his Russian handlers thought of the whole thing when they RECRUITED HIS FATHER to be the courier, lmao. Maybe outsource the delivery to a more random person