By PERKIN AMALARAJ AND DAVID AVERRE

Published: 10:32 BST, 10 April 2025 | Updated: 10:39 BST, 10 April 2025

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Russia has released jailed American ballerina Ksenia Karelina (pictured) in an early morning prisoner swap between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's respective intelligence agencies. The early morning swap in Abu Dhabi, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is the latest sign of a deepening relationship between the two superpowers.

Russia has released jailed American ballerina Ksenia Karelina (pictured) in an early morning prisoner swap between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s respective intelligence agencies. The early morning swap in Abu Dhabi, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is the latest sign of a deepening relationship between the two superpowers.

A dual Russian-American citizen, Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in prison in August 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for donating just over $50 to a New York-based charity supporting Ukraine. The U.S. maintained she was wrongfully detained along with several other American citizens and launched a diplomatic campaign for their release.

A dual Russian-American citizen, Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in prison in August 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for donating just over $50 to a New York-based charity supporting Ukraine. The U.S. maintained she was wrongfully detained along with several other American citizens and launched a diplomatic campaign for their release.

The Los Angeles spa worker was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. After discovering the charity donation on her phone, the FSB security service accused her of collecting funds for the benefit of the Ukrainian army. Her lawyer said she pleaded guilty in the hope of getting a lighter sentence.

The Los Angeles spa worker was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. After discovering the charity donation on her phone, the FSB security service accused her of collecting funds for the benefit of the Ukrainian army. Her lawyer said she pleaded guilty in the hope of getting a lighter sentence.

In exchange for Karelina, America released Arthur Petrov (not pictured), a German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. Prosecutors alleged he had used a Cypriot company to procure the American technology under the guise of using them for fire security systems, then shipped them to a company in St. Petersburg that supplies the Russian military. Petrov had not been sentenced.

In exchange for Karelina, America released Arthur Petrov (not pictured), a German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. Prosecutors alleged he had used a Cypriot company to procure the American technology under the guise of using them for fire security systems, then shipped them to a company in St. Petersburg that supplies the Russian military. Petrov had not been sentenced.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was reportedly involved in prisoner negotiations with FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, greeted Karelina at the airport in Abu Dhabi where the exchange took place. He told the WSJ: '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 United Arab Emirates for enabling the exchange.'

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was reportedly involved in prisoner negotiations with FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, greeted Karelina at the airport in Abu Dhabi where the exchange took place. He told the WSJ: ‘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 United Arab Emirates for enabling the exchange.’ 

'Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina,' national security adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement. 'President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families.'

‘Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina,’ national security adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement. ‘President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families.’ 

Karelina's release marks the second prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia since Donald Trump took office in January. Russia in February freed Marc Fogel (pictured center), an schoolteacher and former employee of the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Fogel had served three and a half years of a 14-year sentence for drug smuggling after being caught in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Karelina’s release marks the second prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia since Donald Trump took office in January. Russia in February freed Marc Fogel (pictured center), an schoolteacher and former employee of the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Fogel had served three and a half years of a 14-year sentence for drug smuggling after being caught in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

In exchange, Washington released Alexander Vinnik (pictured), a convicted Russian cybercriminal who had pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiring to launder money. At least 10 other Americans remain behind bars in Russia on various charges, hoping their government can secure their release.

In exchange, Washington released Alexander Vinnik (pictured), a convicted Russian cybercriminal who had pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiring to launder money. At least 10 other Americans remain behind bars in Russia on various charges, hoping their government can secure their release.

They include Stephen Hubbard (pictired), a 73-year-old native of Michigan jailed in October for nearly seven years on charges that he served as a mercenary in Ukraine. Hubbard had been living in the Ukrainian town of Izium and was arrested after Russian forces took control of the city in 2022. His relatives rejected claims that Hubbard served for Ukraine, pointing to his advanced age. He was designated in January as wrongfully detained.

They include Stephen Hubbard (pictired), a 73-year-old native of Michigan jailed in October for nearly seven years on charges that he served as a mercenary in Ukraine. Hubbard had been living in the Ukrainian town of Izium and was arrested after Russian forces took control of the city in 2022. His relatives rejected claims that Hubbard served for Ukraine, pointing to his advanced age. He was designated in January as wrongfully detained.

Gordon Black (pictured), an active duty U.S. staff sergeant based in South Korea, was detained last May in Russia's Far East on suspicion of stealing money from his Russian girlfriend. A court in June found Black guilty of stealing 10,000 roubles ($104) from the woman and threatening to kill her, sentencing him to three years and nine months in prison.

Gordon Black (pictured), an active duty U.S. staff sergeant based in South Korea, was detained last May in Russia’s Far East on suspicion of stealing money from his Russian girlfriend. A court in June found Black guilty of stealing 10,000 roubles ($104) from the woman and threatening to kill her, sentencing him to three years and nine months in prison.

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US ballerina Ksenia Karelina freed from Russian jail in prisoner swap

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