A US-Russian National, detained to donate $ 51 (about Rs 4,400) in a charity supporting Ukraine, has been released by Moscow in a rare prisoner swap.
Ksenia Karelina’s release was confirmed by US State Secretary Marco Rubio on social media platform X. He wrote, “American Cessenia Karelina is back home to the United States.
Mr. Rubio said, “He was misrepresented by Russia for more than a year and President Trump achieved his release,” Trump said, “Trump will continue to work for the release of all Americans.”
American Cessenia Karelina is on an aircraft in an aircraft for the United States.
He was misunderstood by Russia for more than a year and President Trump achieved his release. @Potus Will continue to work for the release of all Americans.
– Secretary Marco Rubio (@Secrubio) 10 April, 2025
Ms. Karelina, a resident of Los Angeles, was released as part of a deal between the two countries.
In exchange for its release, the US freed the German-Russian National Arthur Petrov. He was accused of illegally exporting microelectronic in Russia, where he was used by companies associated with the Russian Federation’s armed forces.
Swap took place at an airport in Abu Dhabi.
John Ratcliffe, a top Russian intelligence officer and director of CIA, arranged the exchange. Mr. Raycliff thanked the UAE for permission to allow the exchange and appreciated the efforts of the CIA team.
The BBC reported that Ms. Karelina, a Beverly Hills Beautician and former Balarina, donated $ 51 on the first day of the full scale of Russia, on 22 February 2022, which according to Russian human rights advocates, BBC said.
He was arrested by Russian officials on his family visit in Yakaterinburgh. Russia’s FSB Security Agency accused him of financing a Ukrainian group that supplies arms to the Ukrainian army.
He convicted last August and was sentenced to 12 years in jail.
President Trump said that Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, requested Ms. Karelina’s release during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
He said, “Dana White called me, and he said that it is a friend or one of the fighters, one of the UFC or fighters, and Dana is an incredible boy, and we talked to President Putin about it, and he made a deal.”
According to the Russian news agency Tass, President Vladimir Putin also apologized to Ms. Karelina.
Wall Street Journal said that Ms. Karelina’s parents thanked Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin for their daughter’s release. His father said, “I think the deal must have included both of them. We are happily next to ourselves.”