Russian-American woman Ksenia Karelina, who was serving a 12-year prison sentence for treason in Russia, has arrived in the United States after being released as part of a prisoner exchange.

A U.S.-Russian dual national imprisoned in Russia on treason charges was freed Thursday in exchange for a Russian man jailed on smuggling charges in the U.S., a prisoner swap that comes as Moscow and Washington have made efforts to repair ties.

Russia has released a Russian American imprisoned on treason charges that Washington has dismissed as ludicrous, but several other Americans remain in Russian custody. The Michigan native was convicted of fighting alongside Ukraine’s military as a mercenary against Russia and sentenced to six years and 10 months in October 2024.

A U.S.-Russian dual national jailed in Russia on treason charges was freed Thursday in a prisoner exchange with Washington, the woman's lawyer and U.S.

Moscow freed a Russian American convicted of treason in exchange for a Russian German man jailed on smuggling charges in the U.S., a prisoner swap that was completed Thursday as the two countries met to repair ties.

The woman is “on a plane back home to the United States,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on social media.

Ksenia Karelina, who was jailed in Russia over a one-time donation to a Ukrainian charity group, was released in exchange for Artur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen.

Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian citizen visiting family in Russia, was arrested in February 2024 and later convicted of treason on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine.