</s>104-10451-10091 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 SECRET 21 MAY US/82/71 Dear Anthony, Regarding your letter (67705) of 10 May 1982, Our records indicate that Valeriy Vadimirovich Kosimovich Kosimovitch Kostakov travels indicate that valeriy Vasimirovich Kostimovich Kostnikov was a member of the Soviet Union during the period 1959-61 in 1961. In 1961, he was assigned permanently to Mexico City, the consular officer of the permanentally to Mexico since 1965. He was assigned described as a translator, vice-consul, and originally described as a translator, vice consul, as well as attachache. Government employee assigned to our embassy in Mexico City. In September/October 1963, the Harvey Oswald approached the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City in an attempt to get a visa allowing him to return to the USSR. to get the visa allowing Him to return in Mexico city in the USSR. request. He has no information which indicates any request. We have no information that indicates any purpose of Oswald's making his visa request. Kostnikov returned to Mexico city for a second tour of the duty in July 1968. During his tour was again assigned to the July 1968, during his visit to the USA. appeared that he was asked with following the activities groups, and he was often asked with members of these groups. groups, including the men often asked for members of those groups, guidances in July/August 1969. Kostovich made an annual IDV trip to Moscow lasting three weeks. (His family) to Havana. Kostovikov tour in Mexico since 1969. (his family) trip to Havana, Kostivikov, 97% in Mexico ended unexpectedly in September to leave his information included that was not due to leave for another three times. In four months, and at the time of his departure, there was some speculation that the audience to speak to him. he was known to (yalyn) CROSS FILE COPY FOR 201-29.2.18 DO NOT DESTROY WORM 54747-0053 D050-0057-003 RECORD COPY XAF-092222 D20-287-9278 SECRET 2/1/MAY82

Summary:  
The document details the activities of Valeriy Vadimirovich Kostnikov, a Soviet consular officer stationed in Mexico City during 1959–1961. He was assigned to the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City and held roles including translator, vice-consul, and attaché. In September/October 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald approached the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City seeking a visa to return to the USSR; however, no information confirms Oswald’s purpose for the request. Kostnikov returned to Mexico City for a second tour in July 1968 and was later assigned to the U.S. during his visit. He was reportedly monitored by U.S. authorities for interactions with groups, including individuals associated with potential intelligence activities. Kostnikov made annual trips to Moscow from 1969 onward and also traveled to Havana with his family. His tenure in Mexico ended unexpectedly in September 1978 after multiple failed attempts to leave the country. The document notes speculation about an audience with him at that time. In June 1978, Kostnikov was last confirmed in Beirut, though his presence there could not be verified. The text also references potential ties to Department 13 (executive action), a predecessor to Department V, but confirms no direct involvement of the KGB in such activities since 1959.  

Key People:  
- Valeriy Vadimirovich Kostnikov (Soviet consular officer)  
- Lee Harvey Oswald (individual who sought a visa from the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City)  
- Anthony C. M. DeVere (recipient of the correspondence)  
- David H. Blee (signatory, possibly associated with U.S. intelligence or investigative agencies)  

Key Locations:  
- Mexico City (Soviet Embassy, Kostnikov’s postings)  
- Moscow (Kostnik,ov’s annual trips)  
- Havana (family travel mentioned)  
- Beirut (last confirmed presence in June 1978)  

Key Events:  
- Lee Harvey Oswald’s visa request to the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City (September/October 1963)  
- Kostnikov’s second tour in Mexico City (July 1968) and subsequent monitoring by U.S. authorities  
- Kostnikov’s annual trips to Moscow from 1969 onward  
- Unverified speculation about an audience with Kostnikov in September 1978  
- Kostnikov’s last confirmed presence in Beirut (June 1978)  

Key Organizations:  
- Soviet Union (Kostnikov’s diplomatic assignments)  
- Department 13 (executive action, predecessor to Department V; potential ties noted but unconfirmed)  
- U.S. intelligence or investigative agencies (monitoring Kostnikov’s activities)

JFK Declassified Files

104-10431-10091.pdf

Document Summary

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