WASHINGTON — An American ballerina who has dual citizenship with Russia has been detained by the Kremlin on suspicion of treason, Russian officials said. The woman is accused of raising funds to support Ukraine's defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.
The Russian Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, released a statement on Tuesday confirming the detention of a 33-year-old Los Angeles resident. Although the FSB did not name the woman, she has been identified to the New York Times and other outlets as Kseniya Karelina.
According to the Times, Karelina manages a spa in Beverly Hills.
Russian authorities said she provided financing to Ukraine as it continues to wage a defensive war against Russia's 2-year-old invasion.
"She has proactively collected funds in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations, which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces," the FSB statement reads, according to a translation from Russian.
She is also accused of taking part in pro-Kyiv demonstrations in the U.S.
The New York Post reports that Karelina was in her hometown of Yekaterinburg celebrating the new year in January when she was arrested and accused of “petty hooliganism."
On Jan. 29, Karelina was reportedly found guilty of hooliganism and sentenced to 14 days in jail. While serving that sentence, Russian authorities brought the treason charge against her.
She was arrested in the same city as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been in a Russian prison on charges of espionage since March 2023.
A Telegram video appears to show Karelina, blindfolded and handcuffed, being led by masked security agents into a Russian courtroom Tuesday.
Russian legal rights group Perviy Otdel, which specializes in alleged treason cases, said the treason charge was being brought against Karelina because of a $51.80 donation to a US-based Ukrainian charity, Razom for Ukraine, in February 2022
Razom, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides medical aid such as tourniquets and hospital equipment for Ukraine. There is no indication the group provides weaponry or other military equipment as alleged in the Russian statement.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the White House and the State Department were aware of reports of the arrest of a dual U.S.-Russia citizen and added that “we are trying to get more information and to secure some consular access to that individual.”
Kirby refrained from further comment due to respect for privacy, but reiterated “our very strong warnings about the danger posed to U.S. citizens inside Russia.” He added: "If you’re a U.S. citizen, including a dual national residing in or traveling in Russia, you ought to leave right now.”
Miller noted that when it comes to dual citizens of the United States and Russia, Moscow "does not recognize dual citizenship, it considers them to be Russian citizens first and foremost,” giving U.S. diplomats a difficult time to get consular assistance.
Some analysts have noted that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after U.S.-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S.
If convicted, Karelina faces up to life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.