Ksenia Karelina (born 1991) is a Russian-American ballet dancer who has been imprisoned for treason by the Russian government.[1][2] The FSB accused Karelina of taking part in "public actions to support the Kyiv regime."[3] She was originally facing life in prison as a result, but was instead sentenced to 12 years.[4][5] Karelina was not released as part of the extensive 2024 Russian prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States.[6]
Early life
Karelina was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia.[7] Karelina emigrated to the United States in 2012 and became a citizen in 2021.[8] She resided in Los Angeles.[9]
Arrest and conviction
Karelina was arrested in early 2024 while visiting her family in Yekaterinburg and charged with Treason by the Russian government for sending $51.80 to Razom, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that sends humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. She made a single transfer on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Razom denied claims by Russia's FSB that it collects money for weapons and ammunition.[10] Her boyfriend Chris Van Heerden said he does not understand how Russian authorities knew about her donation, adding that Karelina believed she was in no danger before traveling to Russia.[11]
Her trial began on June 20, 2024 and she admitted guilt on August 7.[12] On August 15, 2024, she was sentenced by the regional courts of Sverdlovsk and Yekaterinburg to 12 years in prison.[10] Karelina was sentenced by Judge Andrei Mineev, the same judge who previously sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.[9]
