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Penkovsky's involvement began quietly when he handed off critical documents to two American interns in Moscow, which led the CIA to seek him out formally. He became a key point of contact between Western intelligence and the Soviet military. During a series of meetings in London, he provided essential information that changed the Pentagon's understanding of Soviet military capabilities, particularly regarding the infamous "missile gap."
Penkovsky's revelations indicated that the Soviet arsenal was far less formidable than the U.S. had believed. This revelation was not only shocking but also critically important in how U.S. policy was shaped moving forward in terms of military and strategic planning.