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Rudolf KirhenshteinSoviet intelligence officer.
Date of Birth: 07.05.1891
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Early Life and Military Career
Rudolf Martynovich Kirhenshtein was born on May 7, 1891, in Mazsalaca, Livonian Governorate, now part of Latvia. He was of Latvian descent and came from a peasant background. He joined the Russian Imperial Army in 1914 and served as a junior officer in the 152nd Vladikavkaz Rifle Regiment. During the Russian Revolution, he became a member of the Latvian Rifleman's Reserve and later became the commissar of the 6th Tukums Regiment. He also served as commander of the 6th Toroshin Rifle Regiment and commander of a company in the 4th Latvian Rifle Regiment.
Intelligence Career
In 1920, Kirhenshtein entered the intelligence service and became the head of the Registration Department of the Petrograd Military District. He later served as chief of the Registration Department of the Caucasian Red Army. In 1924, he became a leading member of the Intelligence Department of the Red Army General Staff.
Overseas Missions
Kirhenshtein made numerous overseas trips during his intelligence career, serving as a resident in Germany during the early 1920s and in England later on. He held various positions, including a special assignment officer for the head of the Intelligence Department and assistant and deputy head of the 2nd Division of the Intelligence Department.
Connections and Repression
Kirhenshtein was a close friend of Jan Berzin and served as a liaison for Lev Manevich. He was also the brother of Professor Kirhenshtein, who was the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR. Kirhenshtein was arrested on December 2, 1937, during the Great Purge and executed on August 25, 1938. He was posthumously rehabilitated on July 9, 1957.
