NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Ksenia Karelina, a dual citizen of the US and Russia, is freed in exchange of prisoners by Moscow and Washington

Ksenia Karelina, a dual citizen of the US and Russia, is freed in exchange of prisoners by Moscow and Washington

US-Russian dual national Ksenia Karelina is released in prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington
Up next
Two-time cancer survivor running first half marathon
The possibility of Wall Street approaching a bear market: an explanation
Published on 10 April 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


A U.S.-Russian dual national imprisoned in Russia on treason charges was freed Thursday in a prisoner exchange with Washington, the woman’s lawyer and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Ksenia Karelina, also identified in the media as Ksenia Khavana, is “on a plane back home to the United States,” Rubio said in a post on X. She was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February 2024 and convicted of treason later that year on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine.

The U.S. authorities have called the case against her “absolutely ludicrous.”

Karelina, a former ballet dancer, reportedly obtained U.S. citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She was arrested when she returned to Russia to visit her family last year.

Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, accused her of “proactively” collecting money for a Ukrainian organization that was supplying gear to Kyiv’s forces. The First Department, a Russian rights group, said the charges stemmed from a $51.80 donation to a U.S. charity aiding Ukraine.

Karelina’s lawyer Mikhail Mushailov said on Instagram that she was flying to the U.S. from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the exchange took place. It was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing a statement from CIA director John Ratcliffe, who it said was on hand for the exchange at an airport in Abu Dhabi.

“Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia,” Ratcliffe said. “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.”

The CIA could not be immediately reached for comment in the early hours of Thursday.

The WSJ said that the U.S. in exchange freed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. There was no immediate confirmation from the Russian or U.S. authorities.

Abu Dhabi was earlier the scene of another high-profile prisoner swap between Russia and the United States. In December 2022, American basketball star Brittney Griner was traded for the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The UAE has been a mediator in prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, while the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai has become home to many Russians and Ukrainian who fled there after the start of Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
Ryan Coogler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rose Byrne, Diane Warren react to Oscar nominations
  • Local News

Top Hollywood Stars Share Their Thoughts on Latest Oscar Nominations

Director Ryan Coogler recently opened up about his latest project, “Sinners,” a…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Zaxbys opens first Illinois location in Chicago’s southwest suburb
  • Local News

Zaxby’s Expands to Illinois with First Location Opening in Southwest Suburb of Chicago

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — A new player has entered the Chicago area’s…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
Sheriff: Attempted burglar arrested in Unicoi County
  • Local News

Unicoi Man Arrested: Sheriff’s Office Uncovers Illegal Guns and Drugs in Major Bust

In a significant law enforcement operation in Unicoi County, Tennessee, a man…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Lady Lake police drone pilot shows process to quickly find man with dementia
  • Local News

Lady Lake Police Utilize Drone Technology for Swift Location of Missing Man with Dementia

LADY LAKE, Fla. – This week, Officer Robert Chausse from the Lady…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
Groves girls basketball posts highest win total in 14 seasons
  • Local News

Groves Girls Basketball Achieves Record-Breaking Wins: Best Season in 14 Years

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Groves High School girls basketball team celebrated a…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
Chatham Police warn of ‘dangerous’ social media trend involving teenagers
  • Local News

Chatham Police Alert: Teenagers Caught in Hazardous Social Media Trend – What Parents Must Know!

CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Chatham Police Department is advising parents to…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Philadelphia sues over removal of slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park
  • Local News

Philadelphia Takes Legal Action Over Removal of Slavery Exhibit at Independence National Historical Park

PHILADELPHIA – In a move prompted by President Donald Trump’s executive order…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
Turkey celebrates as Syrian government makes gains against Kurdish-led force
  • Local News

Turkey Applauds as Syrian Government Advances Against Kurdish Forces, Shifting Regional Dynamics

ANKARA – Turkey is rejoicing over recent developments in Syria, where a…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
Boy, 5, snatched off Minnesota street by ICE is now in Texas facility
  • US

Outrage Grows as ICE Detains 5-Year-Old Minnesota Boy: Now Held in Texas Facility

A five-year-old boy from Minnesota has become the center of controversy after…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
US hits 9 tankers with sanctions over Iranian oil during protest crackdown and internet shutdown
  • Local News

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Nine Tankers Amid Iranian Oil Trade and Protests Clampdown

WASHINGTON – On Friday, the United States announced sanctions targeting nine ships…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
'Pulling the plug': Man executed grandmother in wheelchair because he 'didn't want her to worry,' police say
  • Crime

Shocking Act of Mercy or Crime? Man Executes Wheelchair-Bound Grandmother to ‘Ease Her Worries

Inset: Brian J. Davenport appears in court on Jan. 20 (KTUU). Background:…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
FILE - People look an informational panel at President
  • US

Philadelphia Initiates Legal Action Over Removal of Slavery Exhibit at Independence National Historical Park

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a move spurred by President Donald Trump’s executive…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 23, 2026
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate