The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed a prisoner swap between the US and Russia on Thursday, involving the exchange of one American citizen for one Russian national.
According to an official statement, the exchange involved Russian citizen Artur Petrov being returned to Russia, and U.S. citizen Ksenia Karelina released in return. Russian authorities expressed gratitude for the efforts of the parties involved in facilitating the smooth process of the swap.
Petrov, who was detained in 2023 in Cyprus at the request of US law enforcement, was extradited to the US in 2024, where he faced charges under the Export Control Act. He was at risk of serving a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Karelina, a dual Russian-US citizen residing in Los Angeles, was arrested in Russia in 2024. She had been involved in fundraising for a Ukrainian organization, which used the funds for military supplies intended for Ukraine. The Russian authorities accused her of treason, and she was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony.
The swap, confirmed by US officials including CIA Director John Radcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a significant diplomatic exchange amidst ongoing tensions between the two countries.
