According to Vladimir Pool, the real identities of many KGB operatives were known to the public. As an example, in his position has the head of economic counter-intelligence, Pool had to openly deal with directors of industrial establishments to place KGB informers within their staff.
He held sessions with the personnel of institutions such as the Academy of Science to indoctrinate them about the importance of guarding secrets from foreigners – scientific, industrial, economic information that might benefit an adversary. He emphasized that not all scientists that visited Estonia were bona fide scholars. Amongst them would surely be a deep cover foreign spy, often tasked to recruit.
Pool was asked how the KGB reacted when glasnost allowed more Estonian visitors from Canada to visit. He refused to answer the question indicating it was the responsibility of others to deal with that activity. (Pikemalt Eesti Elu 20.09.2019 paberlehes)
