Myth and fact in regard to spy satellites?

As a teenager during the 1980's I remember being regaled with stories about how our satellites could literally "read a copy of Pravda through an open window in the Kremlin". I'm hardly an expert on optics, but such claims seem a little far-fetched...given the mass of air and moisture one would have to magnify through.
I'm curious what people here think/or know about the capabilities of our eyes in the sky.

Tony

Well, to read the headline would probably require resolution at least as good as 1/4 inch, which at a distance of 60 miles I think equates to resolution on the order of 0.01 arc sec or so, which would require exceptional seeing conditions indeed, not to mention an objective lens or mirror bigger than a house.

Mr. Morse,

Your inquiry has come to our attention. The information you
seek is classified. Repeated queries will prompt a full
investigation regarding your motives.

Thank you.
Agent 3.141592

PS: What about adaptive optics on such satellites... possible?

You're thinking like an earthbased astronomer. Atmospheric turbulence is not reciprical, i.e. looking up through 100 miles of atmosphere is very much worse than looking down through the same air mass. This has to do with a phenomenon anecdotally referred to as the "neglige' effect". A sheer neglige' on your favorite girl and their isn't a freckle that'll escape your gaze. Put the same neglige' on your head, and you'll be as blind as a bat. So, those satellites looking down ... the cousins of the Hubble ... enjoy a good deal better seeing than their earthbound counterparts.