Sleeper agents are popular plot devices in fiction, particularly in espionage fiction and science fiction. This common use in fiction is directly related to and results from repeated instances of real-life "sleeper agents" participating in spying, espionage, sedition, treason, and assassinations.

What are Russian spies called?

The KGB classified its spies as: agents (a person who provides intelligence) and. controllers (a person who relays intelligence).

How did the KGB recruit?

Recruiting through business relationships

As part of Technical intelligence gathering, key business personnel, or even a business itself, might be recruited. Both the KGB and GRU used this route. The KGB service for this was Line X, which reported to Directorate T of the KGB First Chief Directorate.