In this episode, we explore the story of Oleg Penkovsky, a Soviet GRU colonel who became a crucial Cold War spy after realizing the Soviet leadership was dangerously misguided about their missile capabilities. We learn how his intelligence disclosures significantly impacted the Cuban Missile Crisis, allowing the West to navigate the precarious situation with vital insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Oleg Penkovsky 00:42 Penkovsky's Rise and Realization 04:56 The Decision to Spy and its Impact 10:26 Capture, Execution, and Legacy