Vladimir Pool, former assistant director and head of counterintelligence of the KGB's Estonian section, has denied attempts by the KGB to recruit young students as informers.
However he does indicate that the KGB focused on certain students for an approach in the future. The KGB started to keep an eye on 'talented and athletic' young boys from grade eight on. The KGB had to be convinced after some years of watching the student whether the candidate was sufficiently suitable for recruitment
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Of the vast network of agents/informants, some were sleepers, under deep cover, becoming active when required. Many of them received special schooling, often scheduled when they were called up for repeat training as part of their compulsory military service. .
One must realize, according to Pool, that the KGB was well prepared for any emergency occasion. Many of the sleepers were slotted for duty abroad to be deployed as partisans in fighting the enemy. Some were sent to foreign locations on visits to become familiar with the locations, spoke the local language and were comfortable with the destination's customs. (Pikemalt Eesti Elu 13. sept. 2019 paberlehes)
