Russian spy Evdokia Petrov being escorted to a plane by diplomatic couriers at Mascot airport

Evdokia Petrov being escorted to a waiting plane by diplomatic couriers

Related records

Record

Transport of Mrs Petrov to 'certain torture and death' – urgent telegram to Prime Minister Robert Menzies

An urgent telegram sent to Prime Minister Menzies 20 April 1954. It seeks the release of Mrs Petrov, after her capture by Soviet Police on Australian soil.

Record

Possibility for Mrs Evdokia Petrov to remain in Australia – letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies

Letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies from Reverend IW Susemihl, expressing the parish's gratitude in offering Mrs Petrov the chance to remain in Australia.

Record

Congratulations on actions towards Mrs Petrov – Letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies

Letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies about the attempted abduction of Mrs Petrov from Darwin airport by Russian diplomatic couriers.

Record

Evdokia Petrov and guards on the tarmac – newspaper photograph

A photograph of Evdokia Petrov being escorted to an aircraft by two diplomatic couriers.

Record

The rescue of Mrs Petrov – letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies

This is a letter to Prime Minister Robert Menzies regarding the threat of Communism.

Record

Russians Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov after their defection to Australia

This black-and-white photograph was taken at the safe house in which the Petrovs were held following their defection to Australia.

Record

Soviet defector Evdokia's statement on Mascot Airport incident

This is a statement by Evdokia Petrov written three days after an incident at Sydney's Mascot Airport in 1954.

Related themes

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Cold War

The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. In Australia it was marked by political stand-offs, the space race, spy rings and defections.

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Gough Whitlam surrounded by press at Parliament House after 1975 dismissal.

Government and democracy

Learn how Australia became a nation and how we make laws and elect people to represent us in Parliament.

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People crossing the road at Circular Quay, Sydney.

Society and culture

Discover how Australian society and culture have been shaped by legislation, changing community attitudes and an increasingly connected world.