A US ballerina who was locked up under Vladimir Putin’s evil regime for 12 years has officially been released in a prisoner swap deal.
Ksenia Karelina has been in a Russian jail since last year after pleading guilty to donating just £40 to a pro-Ukraine charity.
Karelina was handed over to the US as part of a prisoner exchange deal in Abu Dhabi.
Russia were handed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen, in return.
He was arrested in 2023 for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a senior Russian intelligence official arranged the deal, according to a CIA official.
Upon meeting Karelina in the Middle East, Ratcliffe issued a statement expressing his appreciation for the efforts of Donald Trump, the United Arab Emirates government, and the CIA in facilitating the release of the ballerina.
He told the Wall Street Journal: “Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia.
“I’m proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of UAE for enabling the exchange.”
This recent exchange of prisoners between the US and Russia adds to a series of similar actions that have taken place in recent months, indicating a positive trend in the relationship between the two countries as they work towards stabilizing the situation in Ukraine.
While the successful swap is a significant development, a CIA spokesperson emphasized that the United States will continue to exert pressure on Moscow to ensure the release of all American citizens currently held in Russian prisons.
They announced: “The exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship.
“While we are disappointed that other Americans remain wrongfully detained in Russia, we see this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work for their release.”
Why was Karelina jailed?
Russia accused Karelina of committing treason after she donated the £40 to a charity which had links to the Ukrainian military.
The Los Angeles resident pleaded guilty at her closed trial in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg last week.
Her case was heard by the same court that wrongfully convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage in July.
Ballerina and aesthetician Karelina was visiting family in Russia in January when she was snatched by the FSB and detained.
She was later seen in footage released by Russia handcuffed and with a beanie over her eyes as she awaited a hearing.
