KGB country clubs: Inside the luxury U.S. compounds where Russian spies have lived freely for DECADES: Obama's 'cold war' directive shuts two bases - but why were they permitted on American soil in the first place? 

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The ultra-luxurious secret world of Russian spies living in the United States has been revealed, complete with million-dollar mansions, 'vodka parties' and sprawling estates. 

The lifestyles were uncovered after President Barack Obama lifted the lid on two 'spy bases' and ordered operatives out of the country as part of sanctions announced for their alleged role in hacking during the election.

Obama outlined the punishments in a statement released on Thursday, for what he said were the country's attempts to 'interfere with democratic governance' and harassment of U.S. diplomatic officials in Russia.

The President all but named Putin in his statement - saying hacking was 'ordered at the highest level'.

In the hours since the announcement, further details on the extravagant Russian compounds have emerged, after White House officials said they are: 'recreational but also used for intelligence activities'.

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This Maryland property is a luxurious, 45-acre compound that is located in Pioneer Point, and it has been identified as one of the potential Russian 'spy bases' in the US 

This map shows just how close the Russian-owned compound in Maryland is to Washington D.C. and the White House

The property is believed to have been used as a vacation spot for Russian diplomats looking to get away, though it has long been suspected to be a center of espionage

The Maryland property is a luxurious, 45-acre compound that is located in Pioneer Point, according to The Washington Post.

It is believed to have been used as a vacation spot for Russian diplomats looking to get away, though there have long been suspicions it was used for much more nefarious means as well. 

The compound is just 30 minutes' drive from Washington D.C., and is believed to have been a center for espionage.

There have been suspicions about the property since it was bought by the Soviet government in 1972.

The sprawling property hosts a brick mansion that has now been converted into 12 apartments, as well as a dozen cottages, each with four apartments. In total, the compound can accommodate 40 families at a time. 

Photographer Gary Landsman went inside the lavish home, snapping shots of exactly what it was like behind closed doors. The compound featured massive dining rooms, one with bright red walls, impeccably decorated lounge rooms and entertaining areas, as well as a carefully landscaped garden.

Former Russian ambassador Yuri Ushakov - who was in the position from 1999 to 2008 - and his family officially called the complex home for a time, according to Washington Life magazine.  The 'dacha' as the magazine called it, also has a hunting lodge that was used to 'host special visitors'. 

'No one really hunts but that's what we call it,' Ushakov told the magazine while laughing at the time of the interview.

The magazine said the compound was also home to: 'Anatoly Dobrynin, who was the Soviet ambassador during the Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan administrations until he returned to Moscow in 1986.'  

Photographer Gary Landsman took this picture of a bright red dining room inside the Russian-owned Maryland compound

The huge home also featured impeccably decorated lounge rooms and entertaining outdoor areas. Many of the rooms had gold-plated designs and items hanging from the walls

A dog is seen wandering through the landscaped garden outside the Maryland property. The interior of the huge home was the height of luxury for those who lived there, pictures show

Russian ambassador Yuri Ushakov, who was in his position for nine years from 1999 to 2008, is seen with a telephone from a Soviet submarine inside the Maryland mansion

Russian ambassador Yuri Ushakov (right) lived at the home for a time. He is pictured with his wife, Svetlana (left), and their 10-year-old grandson, Misha

It was also used for official Russian functions. 

Washington Life claimed it was the location for many 'Victory Day' events - which are held to celebrate World War II. 

The estate was once owned by John J. Raskob, a former executive at DuPont and General Motors.

Raskob is also the man who co-financed the construction of the Empire State Building.

When the Soviets purchased the home, there was resistance from neighbors who were fearful of 'nuclear submarines surfacing in the Chester River to pick up American secrets and defectors.'

But the Russians managed to win them over by throwing lavish dinner parties replete with 'gifts of vodka and caviar,' according to The New York Times.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, the Russian Federation bought the property for a reported $3million.

'I live down the road from them. We fish and crab with them. There's usually one that speaks English for the group,' a local resident named Bonnie Delph told the Associated Press back in 1992.

The other compound that is reported to have been shut down by the State Department is Killenworth, the Glen Cove estate once owned by George Dupont Pratt on the North Shore of Long Island.

Pratt, the third son of Standard Oil magnate Charles Pratt, lived in the 49-room mansion until his death in 1935.

The Soviet government bought the home in the 1950s.

Killenworth was used as a vacation retreat by Soviet diplomats and personnel who were stationed at the United Nations in New York.

The other compound that is reported to have been shut down by the State Department is Killenworth, the Glen Cove estate (pictured) once owned by George Dupont Pratt on the North Shore of Long Island

Pratt, the third son of Standard Oil magnate Charles Pratt, lived in the 49-room mansion (pictured in 1951) until his death in 1935. The Soviet government bought the home in the 1950s

Local council officials have said for decades they were offended that Russian diplomats were able to be based at the property (pictured) while they spied on the US

Killenworth was also used as a vacation retreat by Soviet diplomats and personnel who were stationed at the United Nations in New York

Russian activity at Killenworth has been controversial since it has long been rumored to house Soviet spies

In 1982, the local council clashed with the State Department after it banned Russian diplomats staying at the estate (pictured) from the beach as retaliation for what they said was Moscow's spying on Long Island defense industries

Local officials objected to the Soviets enjoying tax exempt status on the home, which deprived Glen Cove of revenue that it usually generated from property taxes

Russian activity at Killenworth has been controversial since it has long been rumored to house Soviet spies.

In 1982, the local council clashed with the State Department after it banned Russian diplomats from the beach as retaliation for what they said was Moscow's spying on Long Island defense industries, according to The New York Times. 

Local officials objected to the Soviets enjoying tax exempt status on the home, which deprived Glen Cove of revenue that it usually generated from property taxes. 

Some who were shocked to learn they were living near alleged spy bases angrily took to social media after the news spread on Thursday

The Glen Cove City Council angrily told the Reagan administration that it was 'still offended that the Soviets are here spying and not paying taxes, and a little offended by the callousness, condescension and almost browbeating coming from Washington.'  

Some have reacted angrily to the news that the American government allowed the spy bases to remain operational, without informing locals.

'Even scarier, I live down the road from the compound,' Maryland resident Billy Ross wrote. 

'I've been living on Eastern Shore of Maryland for just over two years now,' Chris Sabas, who did not know about the alleged base, wrote. 

'This is like 20 minutes from my house,' Julia Girasole said of the Maryland compound.

President Obama's strongly-worded statement about sanctions against Russia is his most sweeping action against the Kremlin during his eight years in office

A spokesman for Vladimir Putin rejected claims of cyber-attacking the election and said the U.S. government must put up or shut up