Russia’s spy was expert in cyber AND sex

Maria Butina appears to have played both sides of the fence.

The suspected Kremlin spy co-wrote an academic article about the importance of cybersecurity while her government actively waged hacking warfare against the U.S.

Butina, who was charged earlier this week with trying to infiltrate the National Rifle Association and the Republican Party on behalf of the Russian government, wrote the article entitled “Cybersecurity Knowledge Networks” while working as a research assistant at American University.

The piece, which Butina co-wrote with university Profs. Mark Clark and J. Alberto Espinosa, was published in March and characterized cybersecurity as a “critical issue for organizations seeking to protect vulnerable data.”

“Back doors in cyber represent a large list of dangers from data theft and ransom to real-time surveillance or even remote control of an entire network,” Butina (photo), 29, and her co-authors wrote.

The redheaded alleged agent, who's the founder of a Russian gun rights group, offered sex to gain access to prominent GOP operatives while infiltrating the NRA on behalf of the Kremlin, according to court papers. Prosecutors say she was operating at the behest of Alexander Torshin, a sanctioned Russian oligarch who has close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Torshin is a lifelong NRA member and is facing scrutiny from Mueller for potentially funneling money into American politics by using the powerful gun group as a proxy.

Prosecutors charge Butina only enrolled at American University in order to obtain a student visa so she could enter the country and gather intelligence on American officials while simultaneously working to establish a back channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Kremlin.

“Although she attended classes and completed coursework with outside help, attending American University was Butina's cover while she continued to work on behalf of the Russian official,” prosecutors stated in her indictment, referring to Torshin.

Butina was ordered to be held behind bars until her trial after prosecutors said she posed an “extreme flight risk.”

Butina has maintained her innocence, and the Kremlin claimed Thursday her indictment is the result of an “anti-Russia hysteria” enveloping the U.S. They've launched a #FreeMariaButina social media campaign.