Moves by spymaster releasing army (5)
I believe the answer is:
steps
'moves' is the definition.
(step is a kind of move)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for steps that I've seen before include "Paces; measures" , "taken to get on" , "Procedures" , "Measures taken" , "Footfalls" .)