The largest Russia-US spy swap since the Cold War appeared to be in motion today, with up to 10 guilty pleas planned in New York by defendants accused of spying for Russia in exchange for the release of convicted Russian spies.

Within hours of his capture, US prosecutors say Russian spy suspect Juan Lazaro admitted his name was an alias.

A US prosecutor warned that a powerful and sophisticated network of US-based Russian agents was eager to help defendants in an alleged spy ring flee the country on bail.