Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina was launched from Kremlin custody in a prisoner swap with the US Thursday morning, in response to a brand new report.
Karelina was freed in trade for German-Russian Arthur Petrov at a swap in Abu Dhabi, the Wall Avenue Journal reported.
The twin-citizen spa employee was accused of treason towards the Russian authorities when she donated $51 to a charity that allegedly supported Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 — the day Russian forces launched its assault on its western neighbor.
She allegedly “transferred funds within the pursuits of a Ukrainian group, which have been subsequently used for the acquisition of tactical drugs gadgets, gear, technique of defeat and ammunition by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
She was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for the crimes in August.
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 for illegally exporting microelectronics with US navy functions to Russia, the Justice Division alleged.
The key talks between Russia and the US was spearheaded by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a senior Russian intelligence official, the Wall Avenue Journal reported citing a CIA supply.
“At the moment, President Trump introduced residence one other wrongfully detained American from Russia,” Ratcliffe advised the outlet. “I’m happy with the CIA officers who labored tirelessly to help this effort, and we recognize the Authorities of UAE. for enabling the trade.”
Ksenia’s boyfriend, Chris Van Heerdan revealed to The Publish that he was set to suggest to his girlfriend earlier than she was arrested.
“I used to be going to pop the query,” an emotional Van Heerdan, 37, advised The Publish. “However my plans have been derailed.”
Van Heerdan defended Ksenia’s donation as her actions have been executed on American soil.
“The factor is, she didn’t do that in Russia as a Russian citizen. She did this in America, as an American citizen,” he mentioned.
