From Pete Yost, the AP:  Ten people have been arrested for allegedly serving as secret agents of the Russian government with the goal of penetrating U.S. government policymaking circles .

The Justice Department announced the arrests Monday.

According to court papers in the case, the U.S. government intercepted a message from Russian intelligence headquarters in Moscow to two of the defendants. The message states that their main mission is "to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in US" and send intelligence reports.

The court papers cited numerous examples of communications intercepted by U.S. investigators that spelled out what the 10 allegedly were trying to do.

From CBS: Eight of 10 were arrested were reportedly carrying out "deep-cover" assignments in on behalf of the Russian Federation, according to court documents. …

The FBI believes that they were working for the SVR, a service of the Russian Intelligence. The Bureau alleged the SVR trained them in foreign languages and the use of codes and intelligence transmission before sending them to the U.S.

From AFP:  An 11th suspect remains at large, the justice department said as it revealed the shocking developments only days after US President Barack Obama praised his visiting Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev as a "solid and reliable partner."  (graphic: Federal Bureau of Investigation)

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