Maria Butina

"Russia is not bombing citizens. Russian military troops actually are having humanitarian corridors," the convicted Russian agent told the BBC.

Butina's years-long efforts included attempts to infiltrate the National Rifle Association (NRA) and ingratiate herself with influential conservatives.

Butina served 18 months in a Florida prison for trying to infiltrate the NRA and build ties with high-ranking U.S. conservatives.

Maria Butina talks to 60 Minutes and tells all about the claim she tried to inject Russian influence into NRA policy.

Diplomat's comments come after the release from prison of the spy Maria Butina.

Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) claimed in a tweet Friday that convicted Russian agent Maria Butina was jailed due to "Russophobia" and "filing the wrong paperwork." Butina was released from a low security prison and deported Friday after serving 15 months of an 18 month sentence.

Patrick Byrne claimed FBI agents told him, "This is such a national security emergency, we need to ask you to do this, if you're willing."

"We are disturbed by the lack of transparency the NRA has demonstrated surrounding the December 2015 trip to Moscow," Representatives Ted Lieu and Kathleen Rice wrote in a letter.

Paul Erickson was indicted in his home state of South Dakota on 11 counts of money laundering and wire fraud.

Despite attempts to minimize the involvement of its top officials, analysts say there is ample evidence that the NRA has deeps ties to Russia.

"There are voluntary participants in this. They are people who will be indicted themselves for failing to register as foreign agents," Dr. Sarah Kendzior said.

"She would have been a legitimate target for FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] surveillance," Asha Rangappa explained. "Anyone talking to her at that time would be captured on that as well."

"Your work defending your client needs to happen in this courtroom, not on the public airwaves," a judge told Maria Butina's lawyer.

Accused Russian agent Maria Butina managed to weave herself into a web of conservative business dealings, including a jet fuel deal with the wife of the former National Rifle Association president.

"As I told the Post, they had inconsequential social interactions after they met at a party. No big deal," Maria Butina's attorney told Newsweek.

The NRA-linked gun activist has been accused of operating as a Russian covert agent since 2016.

Moscow is using social media to drum up support for the latest Russian accused of espionage.

Court documents reveal new details about Maria Butina's activities in the U.S.

Maria Butina could be the link between the Trump campaign and the NRA.

"Putin is deadly serious about building a good relationship with Mr. Trump," the offer read.