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.

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.

Russia viewed the charity she donated to as helping the Ukrainian military and vowed to arrest anyone for treason if they contributed.