When among Russian spies, Anna Chapman was arrested in FBI sting

Russian spies are the style again. Especially when one of the suspected Russian spies that were arrested by the FBI is Anna Chapman. Federal prosecutors accused 11 people of being part of a Russian spy ring living in the U.S. under deep cover for 10 years. The moles took roles ranging from mild-mannered suburban couples, stylish young professionals and Anna Chapman, explained by The New York Post as "a 28-year-old divorcee with a masters in economics, an online real-estate business, a fancy financial district apartment and a Victoria's Secret body."

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To get Russian spies, FBI springs a trap

The alleged Russian spies were arrested after an FBI investigation that began at least seven years ago. It was reported by The New York Times that authorities said the Russian spy ring was part of the "Illegals Program," a long-term operation hatched by the SVR, the successor to the Soviet KGB, to plant Russian spies within the U.S. to gather data and recruit more agents. The designed secret agents were charged with conspiracy — not to commit espionage, but to fail to register as agents of a foreign government. It was uncertain what secrets Russian beauty Anna Chapman and her band of spies really managed to steal.

Going Hollywood are all of the Russian spies

Prosecutors explained that the Russian spies within the Illegals Program were angling for intelligence on the Obama administration’s foreign policy, particularly toward Russia. As outlined by the Associated Press, the FBI intercepted a message from KGB successor SVR’s headquarters to two of the 10 suspects describing their mission as “to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in US.” Papers submitted in federal court that some of the Russian spy members lived as husband and wife, used invisible ink, coded radio transmissions and encrypted data, and employed Hollywood methods such as swapping bags in passing encounters at a train station. It was reported by the Guardian that “Russia’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as groundless and unseemly.”

Is it possible for a Medvedev/Obama BFF sabotage?

The suspected Russian spies were arrested just 3 days after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev left the U.S. after a friendly visit with President Obama in Washington. Sergei Lavrov, who is a Russia’s veteran foreign minister, hinted that the arrests may be part of an internal U.S. plot to sabotage the Medvedev/Obama friendship and U.S.-Russian relations. Russian analysts said Moscow could have to respond in some way. But none of the intended Russian spies were diplomats– making a classic tit-for-tat expulsion unlikely. Some expect Russia will announce that they have discovered a spy ring also.

Anna Chapman blew her cover

As the FBI noose tightened around the suspected Russian spies, it was reported by the New York Daily News that Anna Chapman realized her cover had been blown. Chapman went to a Brooklyn Verizon store and purchased a cell phone under the name, "Irine Kustov of 99 Fake Street." The investigators had blown their cover also. They started to round up the suspected Russian spies. Chapman and her comrades were arraigned in court on Monday. They could face up to five years in prison if convicted of acting as unregistered foreign agents.

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New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/06/29/world/europe/29spy.html

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j_Fmz__pKb-YmXtA5fSYdbz6ptRAD9GL0GGO0

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/29/russian-spy-ring-claims-bilateral-ties

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/06/29/2010-06-29_untitled__2spies29m.html