Russia has released Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian-U.S. citizen, who had been imprisoned for donating to a charity aiding Ukraine, in what is being described as a prisoner swap for Russian-German national Arthur Petrov, held in the United States.
Karelina was convicted last year in Russia of treason for contributing to a U.S.-based humanitarian organization supporting Ukraine. Her lawyer confirmed to Reuters that she was on her way back to the U.S. on Thursday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the swap was facilitated through discussions between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a senior Russian intelligence official in Abu Dhabi. “Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia,” Ratcliffe stated. “I’m proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of U.A.E. for enabling the exchange.”
Karelina was flown out of Abu Dhabi to the U.S. Thursday morning, her Russian lawyer Mikhail Mushailov reported.
In return, the U.S. released Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. The U.S. Justice Department had accused Petrov of being involved in procuring U.S.-sourced technology for manufacturers linked to the Russian military.
