Oleg Viktorovich Vishlev is one of the most famous Russian historians dealing with the problems of relations between the USSR and Germany on the eve of the war. His book examined all aspects of the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact on August 23, 1939, the activities of the Soviet and German special services are covered, the operations carried out by them in 1939-1941. Contrary to the opinion of official historians, the author claims that at this time the USSR, under the leadership of Stalin, did not surrender its position under pressure from Nazi Germany, but, on the contrary, strengthened them by creating a powerful military, diplomatic and intelligence base, which helped the Soviet Union survive in 1941, and later defeat Germany.