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U.S. and Russia Swap Prisoners, Freeing Ksenia Karelina
Russian-American Ksenia Karelina has been released from a Russian prison after a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia. She had been sentenced to 12 years for treason in 2024, reportedly for donating about $50 to a U.S.-based charity that supports Ukraine.
Karelina, a Los Angeles resident and amateur ballerina, is now back on American soil.
Karelina Swapped for Russian Smuggling Suspect
In exchange, the U.S. released Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen. Petrov was facing charges in the U.S. for smuggling American microelectronics to Russia—equipment that prosecutors say was used in the Russian military.
According to U.S. officials, the exchange took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. CIA Director John Ratcliffe led the operation.
U.S. Confirms Karelina’s Safe Return
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the news on X, saying, “Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, and President Trump secured her release.”
Rubio added that the administration “will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.”
Who Is Ksenia Karelina?
Karelina became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and traveled to Russia in early 2024 to visit her elderly grandmother and other family members. Her supporters say she planned to return to the U.S. within two weeks.
She was arrested in Russia in January 2024, but the U.S. did not learn of her detention until February 8. Her sentencing happened in Yekaterinburg, the same city where Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted last year.
Background on Arthur Petrov
Arthur Petrov, 33, was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of U.S. officials. He was later extradited to the U.S., where he faced charges for allegedly smuggling U.S.-made technology to Russia. The Justice Department said the parts were being used to manufacture weapons, violating U.S. export control laws.
Pattern of High-Stakes Swaps
Karelina’s release follows another prisoner swap earlier this year when American teacher Marc Fogel, detained in Russia for over three years, was exchanged for accused Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik.
The U.S. says it is monitoring over six Americans still jailed in Russia, including Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old sentenced to nearly seven years for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
