After his spy network grew too large for him to manage, Abel sought assistance from Moscow. Moscow sent agent Reino Hayhanen to serve as an intermediary, charged with collecting information from members of the spy network. Was recalled to Russia in 1955 for a six-month respite from the stressful work of overseeing the spy network in the United States.

Left the network in the hands of Hayhanen. Upon Abel's return to the United States in 1956, the network was in shambles, due to Hayhanen's drunkenness and ineptitude. Hayhanen was recalled to Russia and fearing harsh reprimands instead turned himself in to U.S authorities in France, offering to expose the entire spy network.

Exposed by Hayhanen, Abel fled New York and traveled to Florida but was immediately arrested upon his return. Charged with espionage, Abel was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Was exchanged for U. S. U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers on February 10, 1962 on the Glieneceker Bridge, which connected East, and West Germanys. Was honored briefly in 1965 and authored his "memoirs" in 1968. Lived in relative obscurity until his death in 1971. Was honored with a postage stamp in his likeness by the Soviet Union in 1990.