The 34-year-old dancer, who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship, had been detained since February 2024 after being convicted of treason for a small donation—$51.80—to the U.S.-based Ukrainian charity Razom. Her arrest, which coincided with heightened tensions over the Ukraine conflict, sparked global outrage and calls for her release from the artistic and diplomatic communities alike.
Karelina was serving a 12-year sentence in a Russian penal colony before being freed on April 10, 2025, in a swap arranged in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In exchange, the U.S. released Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian national accused of attempting to smuggle sensitive U.S. electronics to Russia.
“She’s on a plane home,” confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Ksenia is finally free.”
Karelina’s release has been celebrated across the ballet world. A classically trained ballerina known for her elegance and technical brilliance, she performed with several companies in the U.S. before her life was upended.
Her family issued a heartfelt statement thanking President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for negotiating the deal, calling it a “miracle” after months of fear and uncertainty.
The exchange marks a rare moment of cooperation amid fraught U.S.-Russia relations, and comes as diplomatic channels begin to reopen on broader issues—including embassy staffing and consular support.
“We hope this signals a path forward—not just for political prisoners, but for cultural diplomacy and peace,” said a spokesperson for the American Ballet Association.
Despite this breakthrough, other American citizens remain detained in Russia, including U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black. Advocacy groups continue to press for their return.
As Ksenia Karelina returns home, the dance world eagerly awaits her next chapter—whether she’ll return to the stage or use her voice to advocate for artists and political prisoners.