Yuri Shvets

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Yuri B. Shvets (b. 1952) was a Major in the KGB during the years 1980-1990. From April 1985 to 1987 he worked in the Washington Rezidentura of the KGB.

He graduated in International Law from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia when it was still named the Patrice Lumumba People's Friendship University

Shvets recruited two key sources of political intelligence whom he referred to as Sputnitsa and Socrates. Sputnitsa has been identified as the late New Statesman journalist Claudia Wright. Socrates, a former Carter administration aide with strong ties to Greece was not identified by Shvets. However, in his book "Spy Handler: Memoir of a KGB Officer", Victor Cherkashin names "Socrates" as John Helmer. Cherkashin claims that contrary to Shvets' assertions, Helmer was "never an agent or even a target" of the KGB.

After publishing a book describing his exploits and ultimate falling out with the KGB, Shvets was banned from foreign travel. In 1994, he secretly made his way to America where he now resides.