Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual citizen and ballet dancer, has been released from a Russian prison as part of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. The exchange took place on Thursday (April 10) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Karelina had been serving a 12-year sentence for treason after donating just over $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian aid charity on the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She was accused of financing the Ukrainian army, leading to her conviction.
The prisoner swap involved the release of Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen, who was accused of illegally exporting military-grade electronics from the U.S. to Russia. The exchange was facilitated by the intelligence agencies of both countries, with the CIA playing a crucial role. CIA Director John Ratcliffe expressed pride in the agency's efforts and thanked the UAE for enabling the exchange.
Karelina, also known by the surname Khavana, was pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin before her release. She had been detained in Yekaterinburg, Russia, while visiting her family in February 2024. Her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, maintained her innocence, stating that her only action was a small donation to a Ukrainian charity.
The U.S. government, led by President Donald Trump, celebrated Karelina's release as a diplomatic victory. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced her return to the U.S., emphasizing the administration's commitment to securing the release of wrongfully detained Americans. This exchange marks the second high-profile prisoner swap since President Trump returned to office, following the release of American teacher Marc Fogel in February.