US-Russia swap prisoner: Ballerina comes home safe

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A Russian-American ballerina has returned home following a successful prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi. Ksenia Karelina, who had been detained for over a year, was traded for German-Russian citizen Arthur Petrov.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Karelina’s release, 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. POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.”

The spa worker, who holds dual citizenship, faced treason charges in Russia after donating $51 to a Ukraine-supporting charity on February 24, 2022, coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian authorities claimed the funds were used to supply military equipment to Ukrainian forces.

"She's on her way home! It's unbelievable, it's a miracle…"@MegynKelly on Trump freeing an American ballerina from Russia after her boyfriend's @MegynKellyShow interview on Monday.

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Watch below:https://t.co/F96HgI7HIW pic.twitter.com/FmSzqXqY82

— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) April 10, 2025

Karelina’s arrest occurred during a family visit to Yekaterinburg in January 2024, resulting in a 12-year penal colony sentence. In exchange for her freedom, the U.S. released Petrov, who was apprehended in Cyprus for allegedly supplying Russian military with American microelectronics.

FBI Assistant Director James Smith explained Petrov’s case: “After Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we allege Petrov participated in a global scheme to use shell companies from around the world to establish a clandestine procurement network and supply Russia’s military industrial complex with critical US technology, including types of microelectronics recovered in Russian military equipment on the battlefield in Ukraine.”

The exchange, orchestrated through secret negotiations between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Russian intelligence, represents a diplomatic breakthrough. Ratcliffe expressed pride in his team’s efforts, acknowledging UAE’s role in facilitating the swap.

Chris Van Heerdan, Karelina’s boyfriend, had revealed his thwarted engagement plans earlier in February. “I was going to pop the question,” he shared emotionally. “But my plans were derailed.”

The US government 🇺🇸 has secured the release of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina.

Karelina was arrested after donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity. Shortly after her arrest, she was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Russian government. pic.twitter.com/1AxIcHvcB7

— Marauder Magazine (@MarauderMag) April 10, 2025

Van Heerdan defended Karelina’s donation, emphasizing, “The thing is, she didn’t do this in Russia as a Russian citizen. She did this in America, as an American citizen.”

Before her release, Van Heerdan had expressed optimism about Trump’s potential intervention, stating, “I am very optimistic and positive about the new administration under President Trump, and I believe he can get it done soon.” He added, “My message is simple: Ksenia is proud to be an American citizen and loves America very much. I beg President Trump to bring Ksenia home; she is not doing well, and each day in prison is a day longer in recovering from this nightmare. Please bring Ksenia home.”

This exchange follows a previous successful negotiation by Trump’s administration that freed American teacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia for marijuana possession at a Moscow airport in 2021.