Russia claims bust could set back relations

RUSSIA angrily hit back yesterday at US claims that it had smashed a Moscow-organised spy ring, saying the accusations were reminiscent of the Cold War and could damage efforts to improve relations.

The US Justice Department said 10 “deep-cover” suspects, accused of infiltrating US policymaking for the Kremlin, had been detained on suspicion of seeking details of US nuclear weapons and foreign policy.

Five accused appeared in court in New York on Monday and some of the suspects are apparently Russian nationals. According to US documents, the spy ring had been under FBI surveillance for a decade. A key eleventh suspect, named as Canadian Christopher Metsos, 54, was arrested by Cypriot police at Larnaca airport as he prepared to board a morning flight to Budapest, officials said yesterday.