"Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat" by Yulian Semyonov, summary

Yulian Semyonov’s historical adventure novel "Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat" was written in 1970. This book marks the beginning of the biography of Soviet intelligence officer Vsevolod Vladimirov, known to readers by his pseudonym, Maxim Isayev, and his real name, Stirlitz. The narrative immerses readers in the events of Moscow and Reval in the spring of 1921, when the Cheka investigates the theft of jewelry from the Gokhran (State Depository for Precious Metals and Precious Metals) and uncovers channels for the illegal export of national treasures abroad.

In 1975, the novel was adapted for the screen by director Grigory Kromanov at the Tallinnfilm studio. Vladimir Ivashov played the lead role of the intelligence officer, and Alexander Kaidanovsky portrayed Count Vorontsov. The novel later served as the basis for the first part of Sergei Ursulyak’s two-part television project "Isayev," which aired in 2009.

The novel opens the popular "Political Chronicles" series about Isaev and Stirlitz. In the chronology of the main character’s life, it is book number one, preceding the novels "No Password Needed," "Tenderness," "The Spanish Variant," "Alternative," "The Third Card," "Major Whirlwind," "Seventeen Moments of Spring," and other works in the series.

The Decree on Gokhran and the Moscow Underground

In April 1921, a decree of the Council of People’s Commissars established the State Repository of Valuables of the RSFSR under the Central Budget and Accounting Administration. This body was tasked with concentrating, storing, and accounting for gold, platinum, and precious stones. However, it soon became apparent that the unique gems were systematically disappearing from the vaults, flowing through the Baltics to the stock exchanges of London and Paris, while the country suffered from devastation and famine.

Mozhaisk Criminal Investigation Department agent Volobuyev arrests Grigory Belov, a young man, at the station, who tried to pay a cab driver with a gold watch case. In Belov’s briefcase, the police officer finds a stash of gold watches, cigarette cases, and diamond rings, as well as an extortion letter from Kuzma Tumanov. He is sent to the Moscow Extraordinary Commission, to see Chairman Messing. Belov conceals the details, although in reality, he stabbed Tumanov to death and dumped his body in the lake.

At the same time, Cheka leaders Dzerzhinsky, Unshlikht, and Bokii organize a raid on Moscow’s currency exchange centers. The Cheka seizes treasure from Elena Stakhovich, a former lady-in-waiting who, with the assistance of employee Krutov, had processed Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich’s jewelry through the former Merchants’ Bank. Meanwhile, Cheka board member Kedrov dispatches Vsevolod Vladimirov to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Stef-Stopansky of the Polish intelligence service. The Pole reports the presence of an agent in the Soviet plenipotentiary mission in Reval and the existence of an underground organization.

Vladimirov’s direction to Estonia

The Cheka leadership decides to send Vsevolod Vladimirov to Revel under the legal name of Maxim Maksimovich Isaev. The intelligence officer is tasked with identifying a spy within the mission and shutting down smuggling routes. Before leaving, Vsevolod visits his father, Vladimir Alexandrovich, a veteran Social Democrat from the Otzovist faction, on Arbat Street, with whom he debates the nature of power and the fate of the intelligentsia.

In Revel, the aspirations of the White émigrés, foreign intelligence services, and Soviet diplomats intersect. Count Viktor Vorontsov, one of the monarchist leaders, meets Nikolai Pozhamchi, chief appraiser of the State Depository for Precious Metals and Gems, on a train. Pozhamchi is carrying two million dollars’ worth of state-owned emeralds and diamonds to diplomat Maxim Litvinov to purchase food for the starving.

Vorontsov threatens Pozhamchi, demanding that he donate a share to the White movement. Pozhamchi agrees, conceals some of the stones, and enters into negotiations with a representative of the French jewelry concern Marchand & Co. Meanwhile, Litvinov delivers a note of protest to Estonian President Konstantin Päts, insisting on the liquidation of the White Guard gangs.

Vorontsov’s conspiracy and the actions of German agents

Count Vorontsov arrives in Moscow illegally, intending to plunder the Gokhran. In the capital, he is met with coldness from his former friends: engineer Abrasimov fears for his life, and his ex-wife Vera is already living with another man. Jealousy and melancholy lead Vorontsov to a brothel on Plyushchikha Street, where he is attacked by a gang led by the robber Faddeyka.

Having dealt with the bandits, Vorontsov recruits prostitute Anna Viktorovna, Faddeyka’s brother, the burglar Oleg, and former banker Krutov into the conspiracy. The group begins preparations to storm the Gokhran, hoping to crack the safes containing valuables.

Meanwhile, Otto Nolmar, a German intelligence officer in Reval, attempts to sabotage the Soviet agreement with French jewelers. Nolmar recruits Maria Olenetskaya, a cipher clerk at the Soviet embassy who is in love with Vorontsov. After the mysterious murder of journalist Karl Yurla, investigator Schwarzwasser arrests writer Leonid Nikandrov, interrogating and torturing him in a basement.

Uncovering the thefts and storming the vault

In Moscow, security officers Bokiy, Messing, and Budnikov uncover corrupt connections within Gokhran. Revolutionary Tribunal Secretary Sorokin is arrested for attempting to bribe Chairman Ternopolchenko to save Belov. Through Sorokin, investigators connect with tribunal chairman Prokhorov and appraiser Ivan Gazaryan.

Gazaryan confesses to the thefts and implicates appraiser Yakov Shelekhes. It turns out that Shelekhes hid forty-six rare diamonds inside wooden "matryoshka" dolls, planning to smuggle them abroad. Yakov’s half-brother, Fyodor Shelekhes (codename "Roman"), heads the Cheka station in Reval.

Vorontsov’s group infiltrates the Gokhran building at night. Their path is blocked by the one-armed Cheka veteran Evplanov and the elderly security guard Karpov. Karpov is killed in the ensuing shootout, but Evplanov wounds the robbers. Vorontsov takes the sack of jewels, but outside, Anna Viktorovna shields it from a bullet with her body and dies. The shocked count abandons his loot and flees to catch a train to Pskov.

Nolmar’s failure and diplomatic victory

In Reval, Isaev plays a tactic against Nolmar. Having allowed himself to be lured into a trap, Isaev leaves the necessary traces. Resident Roman, in the forest near Perel, pressures the head of the Estonian political police, Neumann, forcing him to release Isaev and expel Nolmar from the country.

Roman then meets with the head of the jewelry concern, Marchand. Knowing that his brother Yakov faces execution in Moscow, Roman puts his duty to the state above family ties. He presents Marchand with the diamonds seized from the doll set and forces the Frenchman to sign a direct contract for the purchase of Soviet stones at European prices.

The Moscow Revolutionary Tribunal, chaired by Karklin and attended by state prosecutor Krylenko, hears the embezzlement case. Pozhamchi, Yakov Shelekhes, Prokhorov, Gazaryan, Belov, and Count Vorontsov, all sentenced in absentia to death.

Returning by train to Moscow, Vsevolod Vladimirov thinks about his father, unaware that he died in Siberia at the hands of Ataman Tarykin’s gang. The scout realizes the heavy price paid for defending the republic.