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Petr KubatkinOne of the heads of state security agencies
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Birthplace and Early Life
- Education and Early Career
- NKVD Officer
- Head of Leningrad NKVD
- Actions During the Blockade
- Arrests and Purges
- Moscow and the MGB
- "Leningrad Case" and Execution
Birthplace and Early Life
Peter Nikolaevich Kubatkin was born on 1907 in the village of Kolberovsky Rudnik in the Donbass region of Ukraine. His father was a miner.
Education and Early Career
Kubatkin worked as a laborer and then as a miner at a local mine from 1921-1927. He also served as a technical secretary for the district executive committee. From 1929-1932, he joined the Red Army and later the Border Guards. He served in Ukraine until 1936.
NKVD Officer
In 1937, Kubatkin was transferred to the secret political department of the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs). He became the head of the NKVD Directorate for the Moscow region in 1939-1941.
Head of Leningrad NKVD
When the threat of a siege in Leningrad became a serious threat, Kubatkin was appointed as the head of the Leningrad NKVD in August 1941. He was a loyalist of Lavrenty Beria, the head of the NKVD.
Actions During the Blockade
During the siege of Leningrad, Kubatkin led an intense campaign against those who questioned the decisions of the party and the military leadership. He also actively fought against criminals and looters in the city. He constantly called for increased efforts in combating espionage, sabotage, and sabotage.
Arrests and Purges
In May 1942, Kubatkin reported that "hundreds of spies, provocateurs, saboteurs, and spreaders of defeatist rumors" had been uncovered and arrested. He also carried out a "purge" of "socially alien and hostile elements," including over 100,000 Soviet Germans and Finns. He was also a member of the Military Council of the Leningrad Front.
Moscow and the MGB
In June 1946, Kubatkin was transferred to Moscow and, with the support of Alexei Kuznetsov, was appointed head of the First Main Directorate (Intelligence) of the MGB (Ministry of State Security). However, in November 1946, he was dismissed from this position and sent to head the MGB Directorate in the Gorky region.
"Leningrad Case" and Execution
In July 1949, Kubatkin was arrested as part of the fabricated "Leningrad Case." On October 27, 1950, he was sentenced to death and executed. He was rehabilitated in 1954.
