The Russian media is reportedly very excited to have Maria Butina back in Moscow

Maria Butina, a convicted unregistered Russian agent, was released Friday from prison in the United States after serving more than 15 months and quickly deported to Russia, where she was welcomed back with open arms, The Daily Beast reports.

Butina received numerous perks and gifts, such as being moved from an economy seat to business class on her Aeroflot flight and a traditional Russian cookie from another passenger, while receiving glowing praise from Russian state media. Once she arrived in Moscow, Butina was greeted with flowers from Russian government officials. "I would like to thank the Russian Foreign Ministry and every diplomat who fought hard for me," she said. "I did not give up because I knew I could not do that ... As I said in one of my videos: The Russians never give up."

Butina was known for infiltrating Republican political circles and the National Rifle Association during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, though her actions appeared mostly unrelated to Russia's election meddling which was investigated by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. The Daily Beast notes she will likely remain active in anti-American propaganda efforts by the Russian state media. Read more at The Daily Beast.

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