Ksenia Karelina returns to the US after detention in Russia

Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina has returned to the United States following her release from a Russian penal colony, where she had been imprisoned for over a year on charges of treason.

Her release was secured through a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia. 

CIA Director John Ratcliffe posted on Twitter photos showing him with Karelina.

“Honored to greet Ksenia Karelina early this morning and help get her returned back home to the United States. Grateful for the @CIA officers who worked to make this success possible! President Trump will continue to work for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans.”

Treason

Karelina, born on December 13, 1991, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, emigrated to the United States in 2012 and became a US citizen in 2021. She resided in Los Angeles and worked as a ballet dancer and spa employee.

In early 2024, while visiting her family in Yekaterinburg, she was arrested by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for donating $51.80 to Razom, a New York-based nonprofit organization supporting Ukraine.

Russian authorities accused her of participating in "public actions to support the Kyiv regime," leading to charges of treason.

Karelina's trial began on June 20, 2024, and she pleaded guilty on August 7. On August 15, 2024, she was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Sverdlovsk regional court.

Her case drew international attention, with human rights activists and US officials criticising the severity of the sentence.

Release and return

On April 10, 2025, Karelina was released as part of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. The exchange took place in Abu Dhabi, with the US releasing Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian dual citizen accused of illegally exporting American microelectronics to aid Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine.

The negotiation was led by Ratcliffe and Russian intelligence officials, with mediation from the United Arab Emirates.

Karelina's release is part of a series of recent prisoner exchanges between the US and Russia amidst ongoing tensions and efforts toward peace in Ukraine.

Upon her arrival in Washington, D.C., Karelina was greeted by her family.

A photo shared online showed her en route to the US, holding an American flag aboard a plane, symbolizing the emotional and political significance of the event.

The US State Department stated that Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “will continue to work for the release of all unjustly detained Americans.”

Karelina is the 45th US citizen to be released from foreign detention since Trump’s inauguration nine weeks ago.

There are ongoing efforts to secure the release of others still imprisoned in Russia, as the Trump administration continues to prioritise the return of Americans detained abroad.

Her case highlights the complexities of international relations and the human impact of geopolitical conflicts.

Her return marks a significant moment for her family and supporters who advocated for her release over the past year.