Russia Jails American Ballet Dancer for 12 Years over Kyiv Donation

Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen has been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison over a donation she made to a charity supporting Ukraine, Latvia-headquartered Meduza reports.

The 33-year-old reportedly donated $51.80 to the Ukrainian charity Razom in the U.S. in 2022 and was subsequently accused of "funding the Ukrainian armed forces."

Reports say the ballerina was found guilty of treason by a court in Yekaterinburg, and that prosecutors initially requested Karelina be sentenced to 15 years.

According to Razon's website, the charity supports a range of humanitarian projects in Ukraine which include supplying first aid kits, wood stoves, generators, radios, and vehicles to frontline medics.

Karelina was born in Russia but moved to America in 2012, obtaining U.S. citizenship in 2021. She had worked at a Beverly Hills spa, according to ABC7.

Her sentencing comes just two weeks after the U.S. and Russia conducted the most significant prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War, which involved the release of 26 people, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.

Karelina's lawyer told reporters she was unable to be included in the deal as an exchange can only be agreed once a court verdict has come into force.

Update, 08/15/2024, 06:29 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

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