The Vlad old days

Putin: I worked with illegal spies in ’80s

Vladimir Putin has come clean about his years as an international spymaster.

The Russian president confessed to operating in an “illegal” spy network while serving as a KGB officer in East Germany in the 1980s.

Putin, 64, who retired from the agency in 1991, made the admission during a televised interview Saturday with the staterun Rossiya news agency.

The Russian strongman admitted he worked with active, deep-cover agents without diplomatic protections. These spies are known as “illegals” — with perhaps the most prominent being spook-turnedmodel Anna Chapman, who was deported from the US in 2010 following accusations of espionage.

“All my work in the organs of external intelligence of the USSR was connected not just with the foreign intelligence service, but precisely with illegal intelligence,” Putin said.

“I know what kind of people these are. These are special people, people of special qualities, of special conviction, with a special character,” Putin said.

“To give up their life, their nearest and dearest and leave the country for many years, and to dedicate one’s life to the fatherland, not everyone is capable of doing that.”

The disclosure came as Putin responded to a ques- tion about whether or not he had anything to say of “illegals” working outside of Russia today.

“I wish them happiness and prosperity, I am sure they will hear my words,” Putin replied.

The nod to active Russian spies working in foreign countries across the globe will likely rattle Washington, as probes into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election remain active.