(BrightPress.org) – Ksenia Karelina, 33, is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Russia who was arrested by Russia’s FSB (Russia’s equivalent of the FBI) on allegations of treason. The amateur ballerina was busted for allegedly sending just $51 towards Ukraine’s war effort. The FSB said that the woman is a resident of Los Angeles, California, and charged her with financially supporting Ukraine’s war effort.
The FSB also accused her of “proactively” collecting funds that were then used to purchase weapons, equipment, tactical medicine, and ammunition for Ukraine’s military. She was first identified in reporting by the independent outlet Mediazona, which reported that she received her U.S. citizenship through marriage to an American. They also reported that she sent $51 to “Razom for Ukraine,” a non-profit organization based in Ukraine.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby reiterated his warning to Americans to avoid traveling to Russia. He said U.S. or dual citizens currently in Russia should leave immediately.
U.S. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller pointed out that Moscow doesn’t respect dual citizenship, and considers them Russian nationals for all legal purposes. Former DIA officer Rebekah Koffler said that tensions between the two major powers are high, leading Moscow to take every advantage.
Razom for Ukraine CEO Dora Chomiak was “appalled” to discover that Karelina was arrested. In her statement to Fox News Digital, she lambasted Putin for attacks on civil society and lack of respect for international borders. She also called on the U.S. to use all its resources to demand her release.
A Russian court also recently ruled that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will remain in jail until his espionage trial. The Russian government accuses Gershkovich of being an American intelligence asset, which he denies. His trial will occur in March.
The Russians are also holding Paul Whelan; he’s been in a Russian prison since December 2018 and is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage charges. Whelan says he was wrongfully convicted, and the U.S. government denied he worked for them.
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