Filip Kovacevic
@chekistmonitor.bsky.social
Top expert on #KGB (ops, archives, spy fiction). Book: KGB Literati (t.co/uWXN1eLc0u). PhD. 25+ years university teaching in Russia/Balkans/US. Now at University of San Francisco.
Pinned
Great crowd last night at the Commonwealth Club of California for my talk on #KGB institutional culture & my new book #KGBLiterati. Q&A for almost an hour! @socintelhist.bsky.social
Great crowd last night at the Commonwealth Club of California for my talk on #KGB institutional culture & my new book #KGBLiterati. Q&A for almost an hour! @socintelhist.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Great crowd last night at the Commonwealth Club of California for my talk on #KGB institutional culture & my new book #KGBLiterati. Q&A for almost an hour! @socintelhist.bsky.social
Thanks, Luca! I really enjoyed this conversation with Antonia Senior, a wonderful host of the Spy Masters podcast on all things #KGB and my new book #KGBLiterati.
January 15, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Thanks, Luca! I really enjoyed this conversation with Antonia Senior, a wonderful host of the Spy Masters podcast on all things #KGB and my new book #KGBLiterati.
It's a great honor to have Sean Wiswesser, a former #CIA senior operations officer & author of the forthcoming book "Tradecraft, Tactics & Dirty Tricks: Russian Intel & Putin's Secret War," write a review of my book #KGBLiterati for #AFIO! ⬇️
www.afio.com/book-reviews...
www.afio.com/book-reviews...
Association of Former Intelligence Officers
AFIO's mission is to build a public constituency for a sound, healthy and capable U.S. intelligence system.
www.afio.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM
It's a great honor to have Sean Wiswesser, a former #CIA senior operations officer & author of the forthcoming book "Tradecraft, Tactics & Dirty Tricks: Russian Intel & Putin's Secret War," write a review of my book #KGBLiterati for #AFIO! ⬇️
www.afio.com/book-reviews...
www.afio.com/book-reviews...
This Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Commonwealth Club of California is hosting my lecture on the legacies of #KGB institutional culture & my new book #KGBLiterati at the Dominican University in San Rafael, California. See you there!
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
Dr. Filip Kovacevic: Inside KGB Culture
A large segment of the Russian ruling elite is still composed of Soviet state security (KGB) officers, including President Vladimir Putin. Professor Filip Kovacevic will discuss the deep-seated KGB my...
www.commonwealthclub.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:25 PM
This Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Commonwealth Club of California is hosting my lecture on the legacies of #KGB institutional culture & my new book #KGBLiterati at the Dominican University in San Rafael, California. See you there!
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
Just received an autographed copy of Richard Kerbaj's great new book The Defector which I highly recommend. Thanks, Richard! @socintelhist.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Just received an autographed copy of Richard Kerbaj's great new book The Defector which I highly recommend. Thanks, Richard! @socintelhist.bsky.social
And here are some matching Soviet #counterintelligence signatures. #NKVD
January 8, 2026 at 11:54 PM
And here are some matching Soviet #counterintelligence signatures. #NKVD
Reposted by Filip Kovacevic
𝗖𝗙𝗣: Join the 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆’s 2026 conference, hosted at King’s College London with the 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 kcsi.uk and the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 15, send to: SIH2026Conf@gmail.com
www.intelligencehistory.org
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 15, send to: SIH2026Conf@gmail.com
www.intelligencehistory.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
𝗖𝗙𝗣: Join the 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆’s 2026 conference, hosted at King’s College London with the 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 kcsi.uk and the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 15, send to: SIH2026Conf@gmail.com
www.intelligencehistory.org
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 15, send to: SIH2026Conf@gmail.com
www.intelligencehistory.org
Reposted by Filip Kovacevic
For the @NewBooksNetwork podcast, Miranda Melcher speaks with UTP author @chekistmonitor.bsky.social about his new book KGB Literati!
Listen here: bit.ly/3MZC9BV
#NewRelease #Podcast #Literature
Listen here: bit.ly/3MZC9BV
#NewRelease #Podcast #Literature
January 6, 2026 at 4:12 PM
For the @NewBooksNetwork podcast, Miranda Melcher speaks with UTP author @chekistmonitor.bsky.social about his new book KGB Literati!
Listen here: bit.ly/3MZC9BV
#NewRelease #Podcast #Literature
Listen here: bit.ly/3MZC9BV
#NewRelease #Podcast #Literature
My 1st article in 2026!
"George de Mohrenschildt's First & Last Letters to His Brother Dimitri"
Based on my research of Dimitri von Mohrenschildt's papers at Hoover Archives.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/bp6xrcvr
"George de Mohrenschildt's First & Last Letters to His Brother Dimitri"
Based on my research of Dimitri von Mohrenschildt's papers at Hoover Archives.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/bp6xrcvr
George de Mohrenschildt's First & Last Letters to His Brother Dimitri
These letters shed light on George de Mohrenschildt's childhood & the last year of his life
tinyurl.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
My 1st article in 2026!
"George de Mohrenschildt's First & Last Letters to His Brother Dimitri"
Based on my research of Dimitri von Mohrenschildt's papers at Hoover Archives.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/bp6xrcvr
"George de Mohrenschildt's First & Last Letters to His Brother Dimitri"
Based on my research of Dimitri von Mohrenschildt's papers at Hoover Archives.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/bp6xrcvr
👀10 days left!
Join me at the Commonwealth Club of California for an evening talk on #KGB Culture drawing on my archival research & insights from my new book #KGBLiterati.
Date: January 15, 2026
Location: Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
Join me at the Commonwealth Club of California for an evening talk on #KGB Culture drawing on my archival research & insights from my new book #KGBLiterati.
Date: January 15, 2026
Location: Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
Dr. Filip Kovacevic: Inside KGB Culture
A large segment of the Russian ruling elite is still composed of Soviet state security (KGB) officers, including President Vladimir Putin. Professor Filip Kovacevic will discuss the deep-seated KGB my...
www.commonwealthclub.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
👀10 days left!
Join me at the Commonwealth Club of California for an evening talk on #KGB Culture drawing on my archival research & insights from my new book #KGBLiterati.
Date: January 15, 2026
Location: Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
Join me at the Commonwealth Club of California for an evening talk on #KGB Culture drawing on my archival research & insights from my new book #KGBLiterati.
Date: January 15, 2026
Location: Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.
www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
#AskHistorians Reddit forum, February 2, 2026.
I'll be doing a live Q&A session known as Ask Me Anything (AMA) on my new book #KGBLiterati.
Your chance to "ask me anything" concerning KGB spy fiction & institutional culture. Be there! @socintelhist.bsky.social
reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
I'll be doing a live Q&A session known as Ask Me Anything (AMA) on my new book #KGBLiterati.
Your chance to "ask me anything" concerning KGB spy fiction & institutional culture. Be there! @socintelhist.bsky.social
reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
December 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
#AskHistorians Reddit forum, February 2, 2026.
I'll be doing a live Q&A session known as Ask Me Anything (AMA) on my new book #KGBLiterati.
Your chance to "ask me anything" concerning KGB spy fiction & institutional culture. Be there! @socintelhist.bsky.social
reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
I'll be doing a live Q&A session known as Ask Me Anything (AMA) on my new book #KGBLiterati.
Your chance to "ask me anything" concerning KGB spy fiction & institutional culture. Be there! @socintelhist.bsky.social
reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Ever wondered why I wrote #KGBLiterati? My interview with Miranda Melcher, a great host at New Books Network, covers that.
Here's our in-depth discussion of KGB spy fiction & institutional culture: newbooksnetwork.com/kgb-literati
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies
Here's our in-depth discussion of KGB spy fiction & institutional culture: newbooksnetwork.com/kgb-literati
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies
December 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Ever wondered why I wrote #KGBLiterati? My interview with Miranda Melcher, a great host at New Books Network, covers that.
Here's our in-depth discussion of KGB spy fiction & institutional culture: newbooksnetwork.com/kgb-literati
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies
Here's our in-depth discussion of KGB spy fiction & institutional culture: newbooksnetwork.com/kgb-literati
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies
This top secret document of #KGB's 7th Department (surveillance) in Kaunas, Lithuania explains how they disguised a photo camera in a handbag.
The document is not dated but, based on its position in the file, I suspect that it was written in 1956.
The document is not dated but, based on its position in the file, I suspect that it was written in 1956.
December 25, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This top secret document of #KGB's 7th Department (surveillance) in Kaunas, Lithuania explains how they disguised a photo camera in a handbag.
The document is not dated but, based on its position in the file, I suspect that it was written in 1956.
The document is not dated but, based on its position in the file, I suspect that it was written in 1956.
My new article!
"How An Estonian Fishing Boat Escaped from the Soviet Union to Sweden in 1947" (and how MGB failed to stop it)
Based on my research of #MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives. @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/yc6z5nmr
"How An Estonian Fishing Boat Escaped from the Soviet Union to Sweden in 1947" (and how MGB failed to stop it)
Based on my research of #MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives. @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/yc6z5nmr
How An Estonian Fishing Boat Escaped from the Soviet Union to Sweden in 1947
Top Secret MGB Investigation of Its Counterintelligence Failure
tinyurl.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
My new article!
"How An Estonian Fishing Boat Escaped from the Soviet Union to Sweden in 1947" (and how MGB failed to stop it)
Based on my research of #MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives. @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/yc6z5nmr
"How An Estonian Fishing Boat Escaped from the Soviet Union to Sweden in 1947" (and how MGB failed to stop it)
Based on my research of #MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives. @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/yc6z5nmr
#CIA-funded Joint Publications Research Service translated several Soviet spy fiction novels in the 1970s but only one of them was written by #KGB officers.
Rezident's Mistake was the first in a trilogy of novels on KGB counterintelligence.
I discuss all three in #KGBLiterati.
Rezident's Mistake was the first in a trilogy of novels on KGB counterintelligence.
I discuss all three in #KGBLiterati.
December 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
#CIA-funded Joint Publications Research Service translated several Soviet spy fiction novels in the 1970s but only one of them was written by #KGB officers.
Rezident's Mistake was the first in a trilogy of novels on KGB counterintelligence.
I discuss all three in #KGBLiterati.
Rezident's Mistake was the first in a trilogy of novels on KGB counterintelligence.
I discuss all three in #KGBLiterati.
In 1985, Lithuanian #KGB Tech Services prepared a 7-page secret memo listing "potential signs" the letter was sent by, or to, foreign intel.
Some signs: cheap envelope, large spaces between the words, "thin" letter (2 pages or less), clearly written address, no dates, etc.
Some signs: cheap envelope, large spaces between the words, "thin" letter (2 pages or less), clearly written address, no dates, etc.
December 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
In 1985, Lithuanian #KGB Tech Services prepared a 7-page secret memo listing "potential signs" the letter was sent by, or to, foreign intel.
Some signs: cheap envelope, large spaces between the words, "thin" letter (2 pages or less), clearly written address, no dates, etc.
Some signs: cheap envelope, large spaces between the words, "thin" letter (2 pages or less), clearly written address, no dates, etc.
#KGBLiterati soon on New Books Network!
I just recorded an interview with Miranda Melcher, a great New Books Network host. Will be posted next week. #spies #writers #kgb
I just recorded an interview with Miranda Melcher, a great New Books Network host. Will be posted next week. #spies #writers #kgb
December 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
#KGBLiterati soon on New Books Network!
I just recorded an interview with Miranda Melcher, a great New Books Network host. Will be posted next week. #spies #writers #kgb
I just recorded an interview with Miranda Melcher, a great New Books Network host. Will be posted next week. #spies #writers #kgb
In mid-February 1965, the Sino-Soviet Study Group of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) discussed #KGB spy fiction based on a report provided by #CIA.
I discuss the content of this CIA report in my new book #KGBLiterati.
I discuss the content of this CIA report in my new book #KGBLiterati.
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In mid-February 1965, the Sino-Soviet Study Group of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) discussed #KGB spy fiction based on a report provided by #CIA.
I discuss the content of this CIA report in my new book #KGBLiterati.
I discuss the content of this CIA report in my new book #KGBLiterati.
My new article!
"NKVD Plan to Undermine the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1941"
Based on my ongoing research of #NKVD/#MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives! @socintelhist.bsky.social
@hooverinstitution.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/2ah69ze6
"NKVD Plan to Undermine the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1941"
Based on my ongoing research of #NKVD/#MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives! @socintelhist.bsky.social
@hooverinstitution.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/2ah69ze6
NKVD Plan to Undermine the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1941
Top secret plan devised by Beria and Merkulov discovered in the archives
tinyurl.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My new article!
"NKVD Plan to Undermine the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1941"
Based on my ongoing research of #NKVD/#MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives! @socintelhist.bsky.social
@hooverinstitution.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/2ah69ze6
"NKVD Plan to Undermine the Catholic Church in Lithuania in 1941"
Based on my ongoing research of #NKVD/#MGB/#KGB files at Hoover Library & Archives! @socintelhist.bsky.social
@hooverinstitution.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/2ah69ze6
Reposted by Filip Kovacevic
And the eagle has landed @chekistmonitor.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 10:57 AM
And the eagle has landed @chekistmonitor.bsky.social
#KGBLiterati is featured in the Hoover Library & Archives Newsletter among the newly catalogued library materials in Fall 2025. @uoftpress.bsky.social @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/ypdja9m4
The link: tinyurl.com/ypdja9m4
December 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
#KGBLiterati is featured in the Hoover Library & Archives Newsletter among the newly catalogued library materials in Fall 2025. @uoftpress.bsky.social @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
The link: tinyurl.com/ypdja9m4
The link: tinyurl.com/ypdja9m4
My new book #KGBLiterati presented at Gleeson Library, University of San Francisco. @utpress.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies #writers #coldwar
#spies #writers #coldwar
December 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
My new book #KGBLiterati presented at Gleeson Library, University of San Francisco. @utpress.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
#spies #writers #coldwar
#spies #writers #coldwar
"In #KGBLiterati, intelligence historian Filip Kovacevic unearths the forgotten front of the Cold War — the one fought not with wiretaps or microfilm but with words." @thecipherbrief.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
When the Chekists Took Up the Pen
BOOK REVIEW: KGB Literati: Spy Fiction and State Security in the Soviet UnionBy Filip Kovacevic / University of Toronto PressReviewed by: Bill HarlowThe Reviewer Bill Harlow served as chief spokesman ...
www.thecipherbrief.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"In #KGBLiterati, intelligence historian Filip Kovacevic unearths the forgotten front of the Cold War — the one fought not with wiretaps or microfilm but with words." @thecipherbrief.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
My 95-year-old grandmother just received her copy of my new book #KGBLiterati.
To order your copy: utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
#spies #writers #spyfiction #KGB
To order your copy: utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
#spies #writers #spyfiction #KGB
November 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
My 95-year-old grandmother just received her copy of my new book #KGBLiterati.
To order your copy: utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
#spies #writers #spyfiction #KGB
To order your copy: utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
#spies #writers #spyfiction #KGB