Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman, has been released from a 12-year prison sentence for treason in Russia as part of a significant prisoner exchange. The swap involved Karelina being traded for Arthur Petrov, an accused smuggler held in the United States. This exchange highlights the ongoing complexities of U.S.-Russia relations and the issues surrounding wrongful detentions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Karelina's release via a post on X early Thursday, stating, “American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, and President Trump secured her release.” Rubio emphasized that the president would continue to advocate for the release of all Americans wrongfully detained abroad.
According to Russian state news agencies, Karelina was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen facing serious charges in the U.S., including export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering. Two U.S. officials who spoke with CNN confirmed the details of the swap, which took place in Abu Dhabi under the supervision of CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially acknowledged the exchange, noting that the choice of Abu Dhabi as the location underscored the “close friendship” between the UAE, Russia, and the U.S. The ministry expressed hope that such diplomatic efforts would help reduce tensions and foster dialogue aimed at achieving regional and international stability.
Petrov was charged with serious criminal offenses related to export control violations and was arrested in August 2023 in Cyprus at the request of U.S. authorities. He was extradited to the U.S. in August 2024. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Petrov was allegedly involved in smuggling U.S.-made microelectronics to Russia, where they were purportedly used in the manufacture of weapons for the Russian military, particularly after the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Karelina, 33 at the time of her conviction, was sentenced in August for treason after making a donation of just over $50 to a U.S.-based charity supporting Ukraine. Her trial took place in the same court that sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison for espionage. Gershkovich was released in a historic swap alongside former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and other prominent figures.
A native of Los Angeles and an amateur ballerina, Karelina became a U.S. citizen in 2021. She traveled to Russia in January 2024 to visit her elderly grandmother and family, with plans to return to Los Angeles after a short visit. The U.S. government was not made aware of her detention until February 8, 2024.
Karelina’s release marks the second instance of an American citizen being freed from Russian custody since President Trump resumed office. In February, Marc Fogel, an American teacher, was released after over three years in detention, exchanged for Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik. Currently, the U.S. government is monitoring the situation of over half a dozen Americans still detained in Russia, including Stephen Hubbard, who has been officially declared wrongfully detained by U.S. officials.
The complexities of international relations and the fate of American citizens abroad continue to be pressing issues, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
