A Russian bank employee and two Russian government officials have been charged with being part of a spy ring in New York City aimed at gathering intelligence on US sanctions against Russia and US efforts to develop alternative energy resources.
The three men are also accused of trying to recruit New York City residents as spies, including several employees of major companies and women connected to a university in New York, according to authorities who did not provide further details.
The charges come at a sensitive time for US-Russian relations. President Barack Obama on Sunday threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russia after an attack by pro-Kremlin separatists killed about 30 people in Ukraine.