US-Russia Prisoner Exchange Brings Ballerina Home After Treason Conviction

Ksenia Karelina, who was detained in Russia for contributing to a Ukraine charity, has been freed in a US-Russia prisoner exchange, highlighting the tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts amid ongoing conflict.

Amateur ballerina Ksenia Karelina, a dual US-Russian citizen residing in Los Angeles, has been released from a Russian prison in a recent prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. Karelina was arrested in Yekaterinburg in early 2024 and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for allegedly committing treason by donating money to a US charity that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine. She spent over a year behind bars before her release was secured.

The swap occurred in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and involved the United States releasing Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen who had been arrested in Cyprus for allegedly exporting microelectronics to Russia intended for military use. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Karelina's release and stated that she was "on a plane back home to the United States." He described her detention as wrongful and pledged ongoing efforts for the release of other Americans held abroad.

CIA director John Ratcliffe was reportedly present at the exchange, marking the second such swap between the two nations in a short span. In February, a similar arrangement occurred, involving the release of Russian national Alexander Vinnik in return for American educator Marc Fogel.