Russian American Ksenia Karelina, who served a 12-year prison sentence for betrayal in Russia, was released as part of a prisoners’ exchange by a detained trafficker in the United States.
The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, wrote on social network X on the morning of Thursday (10) that Karelina had been released and was on her way to the United States.
“The American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home in the United States. She was unjustly detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump has secured her release,” Rubio said in X.
American Ksenia Karelina is on Plane Back Home to the United States.
She was Was Wrongfully Detained by Russia for Over a Year and President Trump Security Her Release. @Potus Will Continue to Work for the Release of All Americans.
– Secretary Marco Rubio (@secrubio) April 10, 2025
He added that the president “will continue to work for the release of all Americans.”
Karelina was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German citizen who was detained in the US on charges of crimes related to export control violations, smuggling, electronic fraud and money laundering, reported rasses from Russian state news on Thursday, citing FSB, Russian security agency.
Two American authorities familiar with the subject confirmed the CNN that the Russian American was exchanged for Petrov.
The change of prisoners took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and was conducted by CIA director John Ratcliffe, authorities said.
Diplomacy between Russians and Americans
The news of the exchange came as Russian and American authorities gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss the embassy’s operations.
Diplomats from both countries have met several times since Trump took office in January, while the US president was pressuring for the end of the war in Ukraine.
Efforts to ensure a ceasefire seem to have stagnated in recent weeks after Russia refuses to sign a US proposal and supported by Ukraine.
The United Arab Foreign Ministry confirmed that it exchanges, stating in a statement that the fact that Russia and the US chose Abu Dhabi for the change of barbs reflected “the close friendship between them and the United Arab Emirates.”
The portfolio said it hopes that “these efforts will contribute to support the reduction of tensions and promoting dialogue and understanding, thus achieving safety and stability at regional and international levels.”
Accusations against prisoners
Petrov was accused of crimes related to export control violations, smuggling, electronic fraud and money laundering, according to the US Department of Justice.
He was arrested in August 2023 at Cyprus at Washington’s request and extradited to the US in August 2024, at the time.
According to the Justice Department, Petrov allegedly smuggled microelectronics manufactured in the US to Russia, where they were used in the manufacture of weapons and other equipment for the Russian army.
The United States imposed export controls on many pieces that could be used to make weapons after Russia launched its large -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an effort to isolate Moscow from access to western technology.
12 years for a donation of US $ 50 for charity
Karelina’s boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, said she was “extremely happy” to learn that she was on her way to the US, calling her “the love of my life.”
“She endured a nightmare for 15 months and I can’t wait to hold her. Our dog, boots, anxiously awaits her return,” he said.
Van Heerden thanked Trump, the special envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler, the executive president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White, and the film director Peter Berg, as well as the non-profit organization Global Reach and the executive director of Wasserman Foundation, rich Rodman.
How Trump learned of the case
According to a nearby source, Van Heerden, former boxing champion, is a coach at the Berg Academy, and that’s how the film director was involved in the case.
Berg took the case to White, who then personally shared details of Karelina’s story with Trump at the end of February, the nearby source said. This made the personal case to the president, who then took action to make him a priority, the source reported.
Karelina, then 33, was sentenced in August. She was convicted of betrayal after making a donation of just over $ 50 to an American charity that supports Ukraine.
His trial was held at the same court in Ecaterinburg where Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison last July.
Gershkovich was released in a historical exchange of prisoners that included former American navalflower Paul Whelan, Putin’s prominent critic and permanent US resident, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
They were exchanged for several Russian citizens detained in various countries, including the convicted killer Vadim Krasikov.
Karelina is an amateur dancer resident in Los Angeles who became an American citizen in 2021.
She entered Russia in January 2024, but the US only learned from prison on February 8, 2024.
According to a supporter -managed website, Karelina traveled to Russia to visit her 90 -year -old grandmother, sister and parents, with the intention of returning home in Los Angeles after two weeks.
The release of the Russian American marks the second release of an American citizen from Russia since Trump returned to the White House.
Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained by Moscow for more than three years, was released in February. He was exchanged by the accused of Russian money laundering Alexander Vinnik.
The US is tracking over half a dozen Americans detained in Russia, US authority said.
Among them is Stephen Hubbard, who was officially declared by Washington as unjustly detained.
Hubbard, 72, was sentenced to six years and 10 months in Russian arrest last year for allegedly fighting as a mercenary from Ukraine.
This content was originally published in USA and Russia exchange prisoners, including dancer accused of betrayal on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
