Film Lens
This documentary examines the development of covert weapons during the Cold War, focusing on a unique handgun created by the Soviets that could induce heart attacks. It details the case of KGB hitman Bohdan Stashynsky, who revealed the use of a modified pistol that sprayed hydrogen cyanide vapor to eliminate targets without leaving a trace. The film also discusses the CIA's response, leading to the creation of Project MKNAOMI, which aimed to develop an untraceable toxin that mimicked natural causes of death.
The narrative unfolds the science behind toxins like saxitoxin, which is found in contaminated clams and is significantly more deadly than cyanide. The documentary shows the challenges of weapon delivery methods, including the limitations of the Soviet cyanide gun and the innovative solutions proposed by the MKNAOMI unit, such as freezing the poison into a dart. The film concludes with the implications of these developments in the context of ongoing international conflict and the ethical considerations surrounding the creation of such weapons.
Why Watch
- •Find out how a KGB hitman revealed a deadly secret weapon.
- •See the science behind saxitoxin and its lethal effects.
- •Discover the CIA's efforts to create untraceable toxins.
Did You Know
•In August 1961, KGB hitman Bohdan Stashynsky defected to the West.
•Saxitoxin is 1,000 times more deadly than cyanide.
•The CIA's Project MKNAOMI was initiated in 1968 to develop untraceable weapons.
•The Soviet cyanide gun required the shooter to be very close to the target.
Perfect For
Cold War historyEspionage enthusiastsWeapon technology