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Konstantin KleshinskiyAgent-informant of the Soviet military intelligence
Date of Birth: 01.05.1879
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- Service in the Lithuanian Army
- Soviet Espionage
- Arrest and Execution
Early Life and Education
Born in Elizavetpol (present-day Ganja), Povilas Plechavičius entered St. Petersburg University before graduating from the Moscow Alexander Military College in 1901. He furthered his education at the Nicholas General Staff Academy.
Military Career
During World War I, Plechavičius distinguished himself as a colonel leading the defense of the Novogeorgiyevsk Fortress against German forces. Captured and held prisoner in Lithuania, he joined the Polish General Staff in December 1918.
In May 1919, while traveling to Helsinki, Plechavičius stopped in Kaunas, Lithuania. Accepting an offer from Defense Minister Antanas Merkys, he joined the Lithuanian Army, becoming an instructor in the 1st Infantry Regiment.
Service in the Lithuanian Army
Plechavičius played a significant role in Lithuania's independence struggle, fighting against Polish, Red Army, and Bermondt-Avalov forces. He commanded the 2nd Brigade and later served as an assistant chief of staff and quartermaster general.
In August 1920, Plechavičius became commander of the 2nd Division and temporarily took over as chief of staff. He returned to command the 1st Infantry Division in July 1921.
Soviet Espionage
Plechavičius was recruited by Soviet intelligence in 1924 while seeking a visa for Moscow. Adopting the alias "Ivanov 12," he became a Soviet informant, using his access to sensitive documents.
Arrest and Execution
In 1927, Plechavičius came under suspicion, accused of pro-Soviet sympathies. Counterintelligence caught him red-handed passing secret documents to Nikolai Sokolov. The subsequent trial resulted in Plechavičius losing his military rank, awards, and pension. He was sentenced to death and executed on May 19, 1927.
