Russia and Estonia swap spies

In a scene reminiscent of the Cold-War era, Russia and Estonia carried out a spy swap on a snowy bridge on the border between the two countries.

Raivo Susi, an Estonian found guilty of espionage and sentenced to 12 years in a high security prison in Russia, was exchanged for Artern Zintsenko, who had been given five years by Estonia for spying for Russia in May.

The Estonian businessman and the Russian spy were allowed home after receiving presidential pardons.

Police in Estonia say the danger presented by the Russian special services is especially great on Russian territory.

"Unfortunately, this has to be taken into account by people who might come to the attention of the Russian special services," explains Harrys Puusepp, spokesperson for the Estonian Security Police. "And it is clear, Estonian counter-intelligence had to take action over such obvious Russian spying in Estonia."

The swap is the latest in a series of spy cases between Russia and the Baltic states.