Russian spy remains coy over US mission

RUSSIAN spy Anna Chapman has revealed some secrets in her first TV interview: She has a passion for shooting and wants a lion cub as a pet — though she remained coy on the job that made her an international tabloid star.

Chapman was one of 10 Russian sleeper agents exposed in the United States and deported this summer in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War.

Russians have been waiting for her to finally speak publicly after months of teasing the media, including with a magazine photo spread and an enigmatic appearance at a Russian rocket launch in Kazakhstan where she brushed aside questions from a reporter.

The red-haired 28-year- old said on a talk show broadcast on Thursday night on Channel One state television that she considers the failure of her mission a chance for new opportunities — though she declined to give details on what exactly her mission was.

She has become the new celebrity face of a Moscow bank that works with aerospace industries and joined the leadership of the youth wing of the main pro-Kremlin party. She told the TV programme that she plans to have her own TV show next year.

Chapman stripped down to lingerie for a photo spread in the Russian edition of Maxim, appearing on the cover of the November issue under the caption “For Your Eyes Only” — the title of a 1981 James Bond movie.

Asked who her favourite James Bond actor is, she named Sean Connery without hesitation. She also said she admires Angelina Jolie, who played a suspected Russian sleeper agent in this year’s film Salt — and hinted she has her own action star abilities.

“I’m a very good shot,” Chapman said. “I have a passion for it, and I love going to shooting ranges.”

Chapman smiled as the hosts played images of her reading verses in first grade and attending a ballet class and gym.

Chapman responded to a question about the suspected traitor of her spy mission, saying she doesn’t want to issue a judgment.

“I don’t want to wish anything negative to anyone... I’m an absolutely happy person. I very quickly forget negative things which happen to me.”