After World War II, the methods of sexual espionage saw groundbreaking development with the advancement of science and technology. The conspiracies involving sexual entrapment often relied on advanced electronic surveillance and video recording equipment. Those who fell into such traps were usually blackmailed with the “evidence” of their recorded indiscretions, either to betray their country or to sell corporate secrets.
The KGB’s “Swallows” (female spies) and “Crows” (male spies) all underwent professional training, their performances outshining even the most notorious spies of history.
For the KGB’s “Swallows” and “Crows,” the life of espionage was much simpler. They did not need to steal intelligence, form spy networks, or carry out assassinations; they merely used their physical assets to ensnare their targets in the most effective manner. They were not required to know the purpose or consequences of their actions, and in fact, their superiors would not allow them to know more. 
However, the rigorous training they underwent was far from easy. One could say that the KGB subjected them to physical and psychological torture until they lost their humanity, rationality, and sacrificed their lives for the cause. KGB defector “Swallow” Karyenina revealed, through her own experiences, how the KGB conducted sexual espionage training.
Karyenina was sent to a special school
Karyenina had a natural talent for dancing and was a junior dancer at the Kiev Palace of Youth. When she failed to get into dance college, she was devastated. At that moment, the school’s party secretary spoke to her. After a thorough vetting, her superiors decided to send her to a special school to be trained as a special talent, hoping she would not disappoint the expectations of the party and the nation.
Karyenina couldn’t believe it was true, but there lay the admission notice. Her parents were also ecstatic. This was not just good luck; it was even more exciting than getting into dance college. Although Karyenina and her family didn’t know what discipline this school taught, they were sure it promised a bright future.
Upon arriving at Kazan airport, Karyenina was picked up by a special car along with three other beautiful high school girls and taken to the school, which was in a military barracks in Verene.
What kind of school was this? Karyenina was suspicious. “Perhaps a military academy?” she thought, looking at the heavily guarded gates and the people in uniforms. On the first day, she and the three other girls were issued uniforms and daily necessities.
The four girls shared a large dormitory. Karyenina learned they were all high school graduates who had failed their college entrance exams, coming from different Soviet republics. They were as puzzled as Karyenina: what exactly were they here to study?
The school principal, Colonel Kuzdrova, gave an opening speech
The next day, Colonel Kuzdrova, the school principal, gave an opening speech in full military regalia. This middle-aged woman with lingering charm did not tell her 100+ female students what kind of school this was; she only discussed a serious issue: what would you do when the party and the motherland need you? The principal cited many heroic stories that Karyenina was familiar with.
Finally, the principal gave the students two days to write their thoughts, with the topic being how to accept the party’s test. Karyenina poured her heart out to the party with phrases like “ready to brave fire and water” and “dedicate my life to the revolution.”
The scene on the screen made her cover her eyes
On the third day, all the students were taken to a small auditorium to watch a movie. As soon as the film started, screams of horror filled the dark room.
Karyenina screamed and covered her eyes with both hands. She saw a naked man laughing as he approached the camera…
The screams continued for a while, and Karyenina heard the sound of chairs snapping and doors opening as some girls ran out. She hesitated, then decided to stay in her seat. She peeked at the screen again, oh my god! A naked man and woman were rolling around on a bed…
Karyenina didn’t leave her seat, but she kept her eyes closed until the movie ended. Just as it finished, the principal suddenly appeared, ordering all students back to the classroom for an exam.
Upon receiving the exam paper, Karyenina was dumbfounded; it was about the content of the pornographic movie they had just watched. There was also an essay question: How can one truly obey the party’s commands?
The next day, the results were posted, and no one passed. The principal gave them a summary report. Colonel Kuzdrova’s tone was grave, then affectionate: “Which one of you isn’t a member of the Communist Youth League? Raise your hand.”
After scanning the room, she continued, “You are all Communist Youth League members. Your essays were well-written, about obeying the party’s commands and being willing to brave fire and water for the revolution. But how? The party only asked you to watch a movie, and you couldn’t even do that. Was it too obscene or too scary? Can that be an excuse? If one day, the revolution requires you to block bullets, what will you do? Don’t talk about the common knowledge that intercourse is science, human nature, or the means of human survival. You only need to believe that this is a difficulty the revolution needs you to face, and you will bravely face it…”
She was willing to give everything for her country
The principal brought in role models for them to learn from. Captain Sophia, with the Lenin Medal on her chest, shared her heroic deeds:
A Japanese business delegation came to Moscow for trade and stayed at the hotel where she worked as a waitress. The chairman of the Japanese corporation, Tarou Hirano, took a liking to her and was always groping her, which made her angry. However, the Soviet defense industry urgently needed advanced Japanese machinery, which was prohibited from being sold to the USSR. Hirano explicitly stated that without Sophia, nothing would be discussed.
Upon learning of the nation’s dilemma, Sophia thought deeply. She finally realized that she was willing to give everything for her country. She felt comforted to be able to contribute to the revolution… Tears welled up in Sophia’s eyes as she spoke emotionally.
The auditorium erupted in thunderous applause, and Karyenina clapped excitedly too.
“Comrades, I believe this Lenin Medal can also be pinned on your chests!” Sophia ended her speech with passionate encouragement.
In the second exam, a miracle occurred; all the students scored excellent marks.
From then on, like being under some spell, Karyenina and her classmates were single-mindedly determined to become heroes like Sophia. Whether in anatomy or psychology classes, they were serious and earnest.
However, they still had to overcome psychological barriers, which was the hardest part.
The four girls in the group stripped naked
When the instructor first asked the four girls in her group to strip naked and observe each other, Karyenina’s face turned red with shame, and she lowered her head.
At this moment, the instructor would loudly remind them, “What’s wrong? Ashamed of nudity? Don’t forget, it’s a weapon for the revolutionary cause.”
Of course, this was just the beginning of their sexual education. The school would then select advanced students to give demonstration lessons to others. The female students sat in a circle, completely naked, while a young man and a female student, also naked, performed various sexual acts in the center.
After the demonstration, it was time for the female students to practice. Initially, the female students would strip naked, allowing male students to touch them and describe their feelings.
After passing this stage, the female students would engage in one-on-one sexual relations with male students from the officer’s school.
The female students were instructed to perform these acts on top of the bedspread, not under the sheets, and to learn how to position themselves for hidden cameras to capture the male students’ actions clearly; otherwise, they would fail.
Each student’s “homework” during the practice sessions would be projected onto a screen using a wide-angle lens for instructors and other students to watch, critique, and suggest improvements.
These trainings were shocking, but to reduce the students’ embarrassment and fear, almost all female students had sexual relations with instructors they admired or officers they met at school-organized parties before their “practice lessons.”
The graduation exam involved seduction
The content of the female students’ graduation exam was to seduce inexperienced boys aged 15-17 and elderly men in their 60s or 70s.
The passing criteria for the former was to alleviate the boys’ fears, while for the latter, it was to arouse their sexual desire.
After KGB sexual training, the girls, once innocent and pure, became cynical, able to sleep with any man without any sense of shame.
In fact, many “Swallows” engaged in prostitution or even scams during their downtime, protected by the KGB, leaving victims with no recourse.
