Russian-American dual citizen Ksenia Karelina has been sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony and fined 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,400) by the Sverdlovsk Regional Court. The sentencing occurred in a closed session, underscoring the sensitivity and gravity of the charges against her (JURIST).
Karelina was arrested on January 27, 2024, and detained in a Yekaterinburg jail under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to treason. This article covers actions that are considered as rendering assistance to a foreign state or organization in hostile activities detrimental to the external security of the Russian Federation. The law stipulates a maximum sentence of 20 years in a penal colony (Russian Criminal Code).
Prosecutors allege that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) uncovered evidence showing that Karelina had raised funds for a Ukrainian organization supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes elements such as the far-right Azov regiment and the nationalist Georgian Legion, both designated as terrorist organizations in Russia. Additionally, Karelina was reported to have donated over $50 from her US bank account to Razom for Ukraine on the day Russia commenced its operations in Ukraine. Although Razom for Ukraine denies providing direct support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, its ‘Razom Heroes’ program is aimed at delivering life-saving aid to first responders and front-line medics, featuring images of military-style tactical equipment. Razom is also recognized on the official website of Ukraine for supplying tactical medical items.
Karelina was notably absent from the recent Russia-US prisoner swap, which marked the largest exchange between Washington and Moscow since the Cold War.