CIA’s Early Cold War REDSOX Foreign Intelligence Operations into Ukraine, Part Two

 Request for Renewal of Project AEACRE for the Fiscal Year of 1957

“From 1953, until late 1955, relatively few REDSOX operations were conducted…It has been said that every REDSOX agent whose capture is revealed by the Soviets has positive psychological value as it indicates positively to any dissident elements within the Soviet Union that we in the "West" are still actively interested in their cause. Such advertisement also shows anti-Communist elements outside the "IRON CURTAIN" that the West is still actively opposing the Communist regimes.

 

“Since the resuscitation of the REDSOX activity in September 1955, DOB has had some minor successes and some major setbacks that were in most part not due to the lack of professional handling but to factors beyond our control. Recent successes of short border crossing operations indicate that with proper agents, adequate training, and documentation, we are capable of successful short-range penetrations of the Soviet Union. And with good communication equipment and dependable in/exfiltration support, deeper penetrations of the Soviet Union will be possible.

 

“Under the new REDSOX functional concept, which became effective only after 1 September 1955, SR/7/DOB undertook the initiation of its REDSOX projects. Though hindered by the prevailing shortage of competent staff and support personnel, the following projects were undertaken:

 

“Project AERODYNAMIC: Domestic Operation Base (DOB) has recently submitted a revised Foreign Intelligence version of this project which formerly also incorporated Psychological Paramilitary and Counter Espionage functions. AERODYNAMIC has been an active Soviet Russia project for the past seven years and has supported the dispatch of all REDSOX agents into the Soviet UKRAINE. It provided:

 

·      Financial support for the mechanism by which underground couriers brought out pouched material;  

·      Provided the intelligence community with information of Ukrainian underground activities; 

·      The structure, aims, and personalities of the UKRAINIAN INSURGENT ARMY (UPA); and 

·      the underground government, the UKRAINIAN SUPREME LIBERATION COUNCIL (UHVR). 

·       

“The Domestic Operations Basee has taken the initiative to resurrect the REDSOX portions of this project. Recent conferences between DOB personnel and foreign representatives of the UHVR have provided the basis for establishing a spotter network among this emigre organization's membership. The UHVR keenly feels the need for reactivating some of its internal contacts in the Ukrainian underground. 

“Project ALOPECIA: This cryptonym has been given to a singleton contact in Brazil operating among the Ukrainian emigres. It is anticipated that his activities for Fiscal Year 1957 will be expanded to include all of South America, making him the focal point for the spotting and preliminary assessment of any action-type candidates who could be used in the Ukrainian REDSOX operations. It is further anticipated that this man will be brought to the United States during this fiscal period for assessment and training to prepare him better for his job. 

 

“Project AECUPBOARD: This is a pilot project for which recently requested foreign intelligence approval. It is an attempt to set up an overt package mail channel with persons in the Soviet Union. By tapping correspondence with persons who were active in the old Ukrainian underground movement, it is hoped that material, funds, and instructions can eventually be sent in to persons in the Ukrainian SSR. Eventually, safehouse and reception facilities might be established through this channel to support REDSOX and other Soviet Russia Division operations in the area.