Ksenia Karelina Confesses in Treason Case

Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old Russian-American dual national, has admitted guilt in a treason case in Russia, according to her lawyer Mikhail Mushailov. The admission was reported by the state news agency TASS, which also noted that the next hearing in her case is scheduled for August 8. Karelina was detained earlier this year in Yekaterinburg while visiting her grandparents. The charges against Karelina stem from her alleged donation of $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity based in the United States. Her employer, a spa in Beverly Hills, California, confirmed the details of her case. Karelina, who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, had traveled to Russia in January, but U.S. authorities were not informed of her arrest until February 8. Karelina's boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, expressed his belief that the U.S. government would secure her return, emphasizing her pride in her Russian heritage and her disinterest in the ongoing conflict. He had purchased her ticket to Russia as a birthday gift. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Karelina of participating in public actions that support the Ukrainian government. The New York-based non-profit Razom for Ukraine, which received Karelina's donation, has publicly condemned her detention, expressing shock at the situation. The case highlights the complexities and risks faced by dual nationals amid geopolitical tensions.