Yurina, Esfir (1923–)

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Yurina, Esfir (1923–)

Soviet spy. Name variations: Esfir Grigoryevna Yurina; Rita Elliott (also seen as Rita Elliot). Born 1923 in Moscow, USSR; dau. of Grigoriy Ivanovich Yurin (circus artist).

Attended Graczyna spy school (1945) where she became known as Rita Elliott and perfected cover as tightrope walker; smuggled into Australia (1955), worked as variety artiste in several cities, including Sydney and Canberra, while entertaining men involved in nuclear research; methods included drugging and hypnotizing; after coming under observation, ceased espionage activities; left Australia (1961) and worked in variety and circus shows in India and Pakistan.