A Russian-American woman imprisoned for over a year in Russia has been released as part of a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington.
Ksenia Karelina, an amateur ballerina and Los Angeles resident, had been arrested in early 2024 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. She was later convicted of treason and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for donating approximately £39 to a US-based charity that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
In exchange for Karelina’s release, the United States reportedly freed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian national. Petrov had been arrested in Cyprus in 2023 and was accused of illegally exporting microelectronics to Russia for use by manufacturers linked to the Russian military.
The prisoner swap took place in Abu Dhabi during the early hours of Thursday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the development, stating that Karelina was already “on a plane back home to the United States.”
He emphasized that she had been “wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year,” and added:
“President Trump secured her release. [The President] will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, CIA Director John Ratcliffe was present at the exchange.
This marks the second prisoner swap between the United States and Russia in less than two months. Back in February, Russian national Alexander Vinnik—previously jailed in the US on money laundering charges—was released in exchange for Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher.
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news.
Find Out How To Make Money As A Full Time Writer/Blogger Guide.
Related Articles
Davido: The King of Endorsements in Africa
Wizkid Takes a Jab at Davido Again: Is There a Deeper Feud?
Davido Criticizes INEC Over Edo Gubernatorial Election, Explains His Interest
Davido sparks retirement rumors with recent statement
Davido Joins Forces with Nigerian Chess Prodigy, Tunde Onakoya in Bid for Guinness World Record
Meet The Richest Musician In Nigeria: Davido – $90 Million
An Intimate Photo Of Davido And Model Bonita Maria Leaked
Written By Elegbe Theodore