Russian news agency RT released last week unprecedented images of Israeli spy Eli Cohen walking down the streets of Damascus as part of a new documentary series about Syria.
The documentary begins with a film purchased from an antique store in Saint Petersburg. The film shows images of a man, believed to be Cohen, walking on March 29 street in Damascus.
Soviet-era video showing a man believed to be Eli Cohen walking down the street March 29 in Damascus
(Video: RDT)
The creators of the series report that the video was shot by Boris Lukin, a graduate of a Soviet military academy and an expert in signals and communication, who showed Soviet records receiving three “red star” medals.
Lukin and Cohen both reached Damascus at the same time. One of Cohen’s code messages back to Israel had talked about the arrival of 150 Soviet military experts in Damascus after the Soviet-western war in Syria moved toward Moscow when the Baath swept to power. The Mossad also knew that Lukin had reached Damascus. Both Lukin and Cohen would break down the Nazis who had fled while in Damascus.
Working under the name Kamel Amin Thabet, Cohen began his covert activities in Syria in 1961. He was able to promote close relations with the Syrian political and military hierarchy and became a chief adviser to the defense minister.
He provided valuable information to Israel regarding the use of the Syrian army in the Golan Heights and described military and political movements until its cover was blown by Syrian anti-Semitism in January 1965.
Cohen was arrested and despite public and covert efforts on behalf of Israel, was charged and executed.
The Syrians described Eli Cohen as “the greatest Israeli spy ever to work in an Arab country.”
To this day, the remains of Cohen have not been returned to Israel despite many attempts to recover them.