Russians have achieved significant successes in various fields such as science, culture, and sports, but sometimes left behind ambiguous legacies. An example of this is the story of Miguel Krassnoff-Marchenko, an officer in Pinochet's army and one of the leaders of Chilean intelligence. After World War II, he was moved from Austria to South America as a child. In Santiago, he graduated from the Military Academy and in 1967, as a lieutenant, joined the Chilean army. His moment of glory came on September 11, 1973, when the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet began. Mikhail Semenovich participated in the capture of the presidential palace with his platoon of soldiers. Due to his successful actions, Pinochet soon transferred him to the National Intelligence Directorate.

The secret service was engaged in the fight against communist underground movements and dissidents. Krassnoff distinguished himself as one of the best commanders in eliminating leftist partisans and searching for dissenters. According to his information, some militants were trained in camps in Cuba and East Germany. A turning point was the elimination of the leader of a major Chilean partisan movement, Miguel Enriquez, who died in a shootout during a raid on a house. For this operation, Krassnoff received the highest Chilean medal for courage. In 1977, he left intelligence and returned to the army, where he rose to the rank of brigadier.

The situation changed in 2001, after Pinochet left power. The new government accused Mikhail Semenovich of kidnappings, torture, murders, and persecution of dissenters. The total sentence amounted to 140 years. In court, Krassnoff recalled his Russian roots and stated: "I am a soldier and a Cossack, and the traditions of Cossackhood and my martyr ancestors live within me! Let everyone know that I am a Cossack and I am proud of what I have done in my life, wearing the uniform of an officer of the Chilean army!"

In the 1970s, he supported Pinochet and for some time headed Chilean intelligence. He is now in custody awaiting a final verdict. Legal proceedings have been ongoing since 2001, and Krassnoff has been charged with torture, murder, and kidnappings. He does not consider himself guilty, claiming that the militants eliminated by his service were guilty of terror and murders, not victims of the Pinochet regime. According to him, many participants in the communist underground were trained at bases in Cuba and East Germany and were mercenaries. He periodically tells the media that his actions saved Chile from the Marxist threat.

In prison, Krassnoff does not forget his Russian roots. He subscribes to magazines and newspapers in his native language and prays aloud in Russian. He has also corresponded with Cossacks from the Provotorosvskaya stanitsa, where his ancestors lived. Locals told him about events during the Civil War, which strengthened his conviction in the correctness of the decommunization policy in Chile.

He had a chance to avoid imprisonment if he accepted Russian citizenship, renouncing his Chilean one. However, Mikhail Semenovich refused, explaining: "It was not easy for me to fulfill this condition. In Chile, we were welcomed with open arms during a tragic period of our lives. Moreover, I took an oath before God and the flag to defend this country and its people, sparing neither my own life." While the investigation continues, it is likely that Krassnoff's detention will be extended. In fact, he is serving a life sentence.