# How the CIA Secretly Raised a Soviet Submarine from the Ocean Floor

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/proof-positive-7769387/how-the-cia-secretly-raised-a-soviet-submarine-from-the-ocean-floor.md
Podcast: [Proof Positive](https://stenobird.com/podcast/proof-positive-7769387)
Published: 2026-07-26T20:39:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PODAGEN9261812024.mp3?updated=1776260339
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PODAGEN9261812024.mp3?updated=1776260339
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/proof-positive-7769387/episodes/how-the-cia-secretly-raised-a-soviet-submarine-from-the-ocean-floor
Duration seconds: 786

## Resource

What if the CIA spent $4 billion on the world's most elaborate fishing trip? In 1974, they did exactly that - using a fake mining operation and Howard Hughes as cover to secretly steal a Soviet nuclear submarine from the ocean floor. Daniel Torres breaks down how they pulled off this mind-blowing heist right under the Soviets' noses. 🎯 What You'll Discover: • How a 618-foot "mining ship" with a secret moon pool became the ultimate spy tool • Why the Soviets spent months searching for K-129 while the US already knew exactly where it was • The nuclear missiles and secret communication codes that made this submarine worth billions • How Howard Hughes accidentally became the perfect cover story for America's craziest covert op 👤 Perfect for: anyone who loves real-world spy stories that make Mission Impossible look boring. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Daniel Torres introduces the $4 billion submarine heist [01:45] K-129 vanishes - and why the Soviets couldn't find their own sub [03:30] Enter the CIA's impossible plan to raise it from 3 miles down [05:15] How they built the Hughes Glomar Explorer without anyone noticing [07:00] The "mining operation" that fooled an entire nation [09:30] What they actually found (and what they're still hiding) [11:15] Why this operation changed espionage forever This isn't just cold war history - it's a masterclass in how far governments will go for an advantage. The engineering alone will blow your mind, but the audacity? That's what makes this story legendary. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Proof Positive on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily - your next favorite investigation is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: CIA operations, cold war espionage, Soviet submarine, Howard Hughes, covert operations Get new episodes a…

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