Russia has ordered the expulsion of an alleged CIA agent who was reportedly caught red-handed trying to recruit one of Russia's intelligence officers.
The man, who was identified as Ryan C Fogle, was reportedly found by the Federal Security Service (FSB) with various disguises, including wigs and sunglasses, as well as a large sum of money.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Mr Fogle was handed back to US Embassy officials, declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Russia immediately.
The alleged undercover agent was said to be in possession of "special technical equipment" and had written instructions for recruiting a Russian citizen as a spy.
The one-page letter, released by the FSB, offered the would-be recruit a payment of \$100,000 (£65,300) for an interview, as well as up to \$1m (£653,000) a year in return for information requested by the US.
The letter asked the recruit to write to a Google email address and wait one week for a reply.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said: "Such provocative actions in the spirit of the Cold War will by no means promote the strengthening of mutual trust."
The FSB claimed Mr Fogle had been working undercover while serving as a third secretary at the US embassy in Moscow.
Russian state television showed pictures of a man said to be Mr Fogle, wearing a baseball cap and what appeared to be a blond wig, lying face down on the ground.
Another photo seems to show the same man sat inside an FSB office without his wig and hat.
In the background are various items, including a compass, knife, notepad and recording device, as well as bundles of 500 euro notes.
Michael McFaul, the US ambassador to Russia, who was taking part in a question and answer session on Twitter when details of the alleged detention were announced, refused to speak about the claims.
He is understood to have been summoned to the Russian foreign ministry.
The State Department in Washington also declined to comment.
However, official Library of Congress records show that a Ryan C Fogle, of Virginia, was nominated to be a consular officer in the diplomatic service in February 2011.
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