Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian ballet dancer who had been detained in Russia for 12 years on charges of treason, has been set free and is currently en route to the United States.
According to her lawyer, her release was part of a prisoner swap arranged between Russia and the US.
“American Ksenia Karelina is on a flight back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for more than a year, and President Trump ensured her release,” tweeted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X.
He noted that US President Donald Trump “will keep advocating for the release of ALL Americans.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States released Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian citizen, in return. Petrov had been arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of Washington for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.
“CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a high-ranking Russian intelligence official facilitated the discussions for the swap,” as reported by the WSJ, citing an unnamed CIA officer.
“Ratcliffe was at Abu Dhabi airport, where the exchange took place, to welcome Karelina as the US assumed custody of her, according to sources familiar with the proceedings,” the report indicated.
A CIA spokesperson informed the publication that “this exchange highlights the significance of maintaining communication channels with Russia, even amidst severe challenges in our bilateral relations.”
“While we are disappointed that other Americans continue to be wrongfully detained in Russia, we view this exchange as a constructive step and will persist in advocating for their release,” she added.
Ksenia Karelina is on a flight back home to the United States.
She had been wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, and President Trump facilitated her release. @POTUS will keep working for the release of ALL Americans.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 10, 2025
Russia has yet to officially confirm the exchange, marking the second such incident since Trump returned to office in January.
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have since sought to rebuild closer relations between their nations, which were heavily strained due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Numerous discussions between the two nations have occurred, with a new round of negotiations commencing today in Istanbul aimed at reinstating some embassy operations that were reduced following the invasion of Ukraine.
Ms. Karelina, a resident of Los Angeles, was serving a 12-year sentence for allegedly donating around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity.
Born in 1991, the ballet dancer and spa worker was arrested in Yekaterinburg in January 2024 during a visit to her family. She faced charges of “treason.”
Russia’s Federal Security Service accused her of raising funds for Ukraine’s military, which they claim were used to purchase “equipment, weapons, and ammunition”—charges she refuted. Her advocates maintain that her donations were directed towards a US-based organization providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Mr. Petrov was charged by US authorities with illegally exporting electronic parts to Russia for military purposes, violating sanctions imposed by Washington due to the conflict in Ukraine.
In mid-February, following a conversation between Putin and Trump, Russia released Kalob Wayne Byers, a 28-year-old US citizen who had been detained at a Moscow airport for bringing cannabis-infused treats.
Additionally, Washington and Moscow exchanged US teacher Marc Fogel for Russian computer expert Alexander Vinnik earlier in February.
The most significant prisoner swap since the Cold War occurred on August 1, 2024, facilitating the release of journalists, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, and opponents imprisoned in Russia, in exchange for alleged Russian spies held in the West.
Numerous US citizens remain imprisoned in Russian facilities, while Washington criticizes the “hostage-taking” process aimed at securing the release of Russians—often accused spies—held in the West.
