The Thrilling Story of the CIA’s Most Valuable Spy | True Life Spy Stories

In January 1978, Hathaway successfully made contact with Tokachov and began a long and productive relationship with him. Tokachov provided the CIA with valuable intelligence on Soviet avionics, cruise missiles, and radar technology, which helped the US military to save an estimated $2 billion in weapons research and development costs.

Despite the risks involved, the CIA's decision to pursue contact with Tokachov proved to be a highly successful operation. The information he provided played a significant role in the US military's technological superiority during the Cold War. The story of Tokachov's recruitment by the CIA is a classic example of the risks and rewards of espionage operations in a highly sensitive and dangerous environment.