SMERSH, in Russian: СМЕРШ) was an umbrella organization for three independent counter-intelligence agencies in the Red Army formed in 1942 and officially announced only on 14 April 1943. under Joseph Stalin. The aim was to subvert the attempts by Nazi German forces to infiltrate the Red Army on the Eastern Front.
The SMERSH is described in the novel The Wallenberg Dossier.
The SMERSH was tasked with counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, preventing any other activity of foreign intelligence in the Red Army, fighting anti-Soviet elements in the Red Army, protecting the front lines against penetration by spies and anti-Soviet elements, investigating traitors, deserters, and self-inflicted wounds in the Red Army, checking military and civil personnel returning from captivity.
The head of the agency was Viktor Abakumov, who became Minister of State Security after the war. The organization was officially closed on 4 May 1946.