Putin admitió haber dirigido una red de espías internacional

Putin admits he once ran an international spy network
By Emily Saul New York Post



Putin admits he once ran an international spy network

​The Russian president confessed to running an “illegal” spy network abroad while he served as an officer of the KGB​ decades ago​.

Putin made the startling admission during a televised interview with a state-news agency, on what marked the 95th anniversary of the Soviet intelligence directorate handling unofficial operatives.

The president clarified he had worked with deep-cover agents who were active without diplomatic protections. These spies are known as “illegals”–the most prominent being spook-t​​urned-model Anna Chapman, who was deported from the U.S. in 2010 following accusations of espionage.

“All my work in the organs of external intelligence of the USSR was connected not just with the foreign intelligence service, but precisely with illegal intelligence,” ​Putin confessed to the Rossiya television channel.

“I know what kind of people these are. These are special people, people of special qualities, of special conviction, with a special character,” the 64-year-old said. “To give up their life, their nearest and dearest and leave the country for many years, and to dedicate one’s life to the Fatherland, not everyone is capable of doing that.”

While rumors of an affair between the married Putin and Chapman circulated following her deportation, he did not specifically mention the bombshell during the interview.

The disclosure came as Putin responded to a question about whether or not he had anything to say to “illegals” working outside of Russia.

“I wish them happiness and prosperity, I am sure they will hear my word,” Putin replied.

The nod to active Russian spies working in rival countries across the globe will likely rattle Washington, as probes into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election remain active.

Putin joined the KGB in 1975, working there until 1991 and reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He’s known to have worked in counter-intelligence–spying on foreign visitors in his hometown of St. Petersburg before moving to East Germany in 1985.

The Russian president’s role in Dresden has never been officially confirmed, and he has said little publicly about his time there.

Putin has held office as President since 2012.