After more than twelve months spent in a Russian prison on charges of treason, Ksenia Karelina has finally returned home. The news was confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced the release of the Russian-American citizen via a post on social media.
Although no official details about the agreement were provided, sources from the Wall Street Journal indicated that her release took place as part of a prisoner exchange between the two intelligence agencies.
Karelina, a dancer residing in California, had been detained in 2023 while in the former Soviet nation. Russian authorities had accused her of making a $51 donation to a U.S.-based humanitarian organization helping Ukrainians affected by the war, considering it an act against the state. After pleading guilty, she was sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason.
Rubio reported that the 33-year-old’s release was secured by President Trump. CIA Director John Ratcliffe also credited the GOP leader for bringing the young detainee home and praised the efforts of officials who made the operation possible.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the exchange took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, through a direct channel between Ratcliffe and a senior member of Russian intelligence, who remained anonymous. Analysts suggest that this diplomatic contact reflects an attempt by the Republican administration to ease tensions with the Kremlin, in the broader context of efforts to promote peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Karelina’s release was made in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 for allegedly trafficking sensitive microelectronics.
Chris Van Heerden, the dancer’s boyfriend, shared that it was Karelina herself who wished to return to her home country to visit her family, reassuring him that she would be safe due to her dual citizenship.
Karelina is not the only American to have gone through the Russian penal system in recent years. Amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington, several U.S. citizens have been arrested and detained on often trumped-up charges. Among them were journalist Evan Gershkovich, teacher Marc Fogel, and former Marine Paul Whelan, all released in previous negotiations.
Others, however, remain behind bars: Army Sergeant Gordon Black, musician Travis Leake, and Marine Robert Gilman. The cases of Stephen Hubbard, sentenced for fighting with the Ukrainian army, and Joseph Tater, still awaiting trial after an assault on a police officer, are particularly sensitive.
