CIA operative was detained for trying to recruit a Russian special services agent, the government in Moscow said Tuesday, dpa reported.
The official, identified as Ryan Fogle, worked as third secretary in the US embassy's political section and was detained overnight, the Federal Security Service, or FSB, said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.
The statement said the US official was carrying technical equipment, written instructions for the potential Russian recruit, a large sum of money and a disguise.
Photos published on the website of the state-funded, English-language broadcaster RT showed a young man wearing a blond wig and a baseball cap being detained on a dark street.
US embassy spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.
The report came days after President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State John Kerry said during talks in Moscow that ties between the former Cold War enemies were improving.