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George Blake, a former British spy who doubled as a Soviet agent, has described himself as an "exceptionally lucky man" in an interview with a Russian daily.

Blake, who has been living in Russia since his escape from British prison in 1966, told the government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta in the interview published Tuesday that he spent his "happiest" years in Russia.

Blake, who passed some of the most coveted British secrets to the Soviets, told the paper that he doesn't see himself as a historic figure. He named the exposure of a Western plan to eavesdrop on Soviet communications from an underground tunnel into East Berlin as his main achievement.

Blake, who will turn 90 Sunday, shared detail of his career, including meetings with a Soviet liaison in East Berlin.