Ksenia Karelina, sentenced to 12 years for donating to a charity supporting Ukraine, is back in the US, highlighting ongoing tensions between Russia and the US.
**Ballerina Released in US-Russia Prisoner Exchange After Treason Conviction**
**Ballerina Released in US-Russia Prisoner Exchange After Treason Conviction**
A Russian-American ballerina's detainment for aiding Ukraine has ended with a significant prisoner swap.
Amateur ballerina Ksenia Karelina, a Los Angeles resident, has been released following a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia. Detained in Yekaterinburg since early 2024, Karelina was charged with treason after donating money to a US charity that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine, resulting in a controversial 12-year sentence in a penal colony.
In this latest exchange, the US reportedly released Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen accused of illegally exporting microelectronics to Russia for use by military manufacturers. The swap took place in Abu Dhabi during the early hours of Thursday, marking a notable moment in US-Russia relations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Karelina’s release, stating she was “on a plane back home to the United States” and stressing she had been “wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year.” He commended former President Trump for his role in securing her return and reiterated a commitment to work towards the release of all Americans detained abroad.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe's presence at the exchange underscores the significant diplomatic efforts involved. This event marks the second such swap between the US and Russia in under two months, following February's exchange involving Russian national Alexander Vinnik, who was imprisoned in the US for money laundering charges, and American teacher Marc Fogel.
As diplomatic relations continue to fluctuate, Karelina’s case becomes emblematic of the complexities entangled in international humanitarian efforts and the intertwining of personal freedoms with national security concerns.
